uillttU 

JlEBp' 

yi\3 


THE  COLONIZATIONIST 

AND 


JOURNAL  OF  FREEDOM. 


OCTOBER,  1833. 


APPEAL  FOR  THE  AFRICANS. 

Appeal  in  favor  of  that  class  of  Americans  called  Africans.  By  Mrs. 

Child.  Boston:  Allen  & Ticknor.  1833. 

We  have  read  this  little  work  through,  not  simply  because  the 
authoress  expresses  in  the  Preface  her  anxiety  that  every  body 
who  meets  with  it  should  do  so  ; but  because  there  is  much  matter 
in  it,  for  the  entertainment  and  we  hope  for  the  improvement  of 
every  mind,  and  also  because  the  reputation  previously  acquired 
by  the  writer,  was  such  as  to  entitle  her  to  a fair  hearing  on  any 
subject  she  chooses  to  discuss. 

This  work  includes  an  account  of  the  progress  of  slavery  from 
age  to  age,  a brief  sketch  of  the  slave  trade,  a comparative  view  of 
the  system  of  personal  servitude  in  different  periods  and  nations, 
(including  a minute  account  of  our  Southern  laws  relating  to  the 
blacks)  : also  chapters  on  free  and  slave  labor,  the  possibility  of 
safe  emancipation,  the  influence  of  slavery  on  American  politics, 
the  Colonization  and  Anti-Slavery  Societies,  the  inteUectii  d and 
moral  character  of  Negroes;  and  finally,  on  our  duties  in  relation 
to  the  whole  subject  discussed. 

In  the  positions  advanced  by  Mrs.  Child  in  this  book,  respecting 
the  capacity  of  the  African,  which  is  one  of  her  favorite  topics,  as 
well  as  in  the  greater  portion  of  her  merely  statistical  and  historical 

21 


£ N T1*  t-l  ~J  OCo 


166 


Appeal  for  the  Africans. 

matter,  we  find  much  to  admire,  and  very  little  to  disapprove. 
She  has  industriously  collected  a large  mass  of  facts  which  few,  we 
apprehend,  can  examine  without  feeling  convinced  at  least,  that 
the  black  man  is  abundantly  competent,  in  all  his  natural  faculties 
and  energies  of  mind  and  body,  for  the  best  conditions  of  social, 
civil  and  religious  life.  Whether  his  intellectual  endowments  are 
equal.,  strictly,  to  those  of  the  European  race,  or  the  Indian  race, 
or  wherein  particularly  they  differ,  is  of  little  comparative  moment 
to  decide. 

It  is  proper  enough,  however,  in  this  connection,  to  bear  in 
mind  the  facts  recapitulated  to  some  extent  by  Mrs.  Child,  from 
the  history  of  the  Africans  of  the  early  ages,  and  from  the  reports 
of  observing  travellers  among  those  of  the  present  day.  It  is 
certainly  encouraging  to  the  friends  of  this  most  unfortunate  class 
cf  our  fellow  men,  to  learn,  and  to  remember,  that  his  degradation, 
where  it  exists,  is  by  no  means  a matter  of  constitutional  necessity  ; 
that  it  is  the  result  of  circumstances  ; and  that  as  certain  circum- 
stances have  produced  a certain  effect,  so  this  effect,  and  those 
circumstances,  and  their  connection  with  each  other,  being  thor- 
oughly studied  and  distinctly  ascertained,  something  may  be  done 
by  the  benevolent,  at  least  in  individual  instances,  for  the  elevation 
of  the  abject,  and  for  the  relief  of  the  oppressed. 

We  are  happy  to  find  our  Authoress,  in  this  connection,  fortify- 
ing her  argument  by  reference  to  the  views  of  a distinguished 
friend  of  the  Colonization  Society.  The  Hon.  A.  H.  Everett,  in 
his  work  on  America,  (and  he  has  frequently  repealed  the  same 
sentiment)  says : 

1 While  Greece  and  Rome  were  yet  barbarous,  we  find  the  light  of  learning  and 
improvement  emanating  from  the  continent  of  Africa,  (supposed  to  be  so  degraded  and 
accursed,)  out  of  the  midst  of  this  very  woolly-haired,  flat-nosed,  thick-lipped,  coal-black 
race,  which  some  persons  are  tempted  to  station  at  a pretty  low  intermediate  point 
between  men  and  monkeys.  It  is  to  Egypt,  if  to  any  nation,  that  we  must  look  as  the 
real  antiqua  mater  of  the  ancient  and  modern  refinement  of  Europe.  The  great  lawgiver 
of  the  Jews  was  prepared  for  his  divine  mission  by  a course  of  instruction  in  aU  the 
wisdom  of  the  Egyptians.’ 

' The  great  Assyrian  empires  of  Babylon  and  Nineveh,  hardly  less  illustrious  than 
Egypt  in  arts  and  arms,  were  founded  by  Ethiopian  colonies,  and  peopled  by  blacks. 

* Palestine,  or  Canaan,  before  its  conquest  by  the  Jews,  is  represented  in  Scripture,  as 
well  as  in  other  histories,  as  peopled  by  blacks  ; and  hence  it  follows  that  Tyre  and 
Carthage,  the  most  industrious,  wealthy,  and  polished  states  of  their  time,  were  of  this 
color.’ 

The  publications  of  the  Society  just  named,  will  be  found,  by 
those  who  examine  them,  full  of  arguments  to  the  same  effect, 
earnestly  advanced,  on  frequent  occasions,  by  many  of  its  leading 
advocates. 


167 


Appeal  for  the  Africans. 

Consider  also  the  condition  of  the  native  tribes  of  the  interior 
AfVic  in  continent,  as  ascertained  by  modern  travellers.  Mrs.  Child 
is  correct  in  stating — 

‘All  travellers  in  Africa  ngrun,  tlint  the  inhabitants,  particularly  of  the  interior,  have  a 
good  deal  of  mechanical  skill.  They  tan  and  dye  leather,  sometimes  thinning  it  in  such 
a manner  that  it  is  as  flexible  as  paper.  In  Houssa,  leather  is  dressed  in  the  same  soft, 
rich  style  as  in  Morocco;  they  manufacture  cordage,  handsome  cloths,  and  fine  tissue. 
Though  ignorant  of  the  turning  machine,  they  make  good  pottery  ware,  and  some  of 
their  jars  are  really  tasteful.  They  prepare  indigo,  and  extract  ore  from  minerals.  They 
make  agricultural  tools,  and  work  skilfully  in  gold,  silver  and  steel.  Dickson,  who  knew 
jewellers  and  watch-makers  among  them,  speaks  of  a very  ingenious  wooden  clock 
made  by  a negro.  Horncmann  says  ihe  inhabitants  of  Haissa  give  their  cutting  instru- 
ments a keener  edge  than  European  artists,  and  their  files  are  superior  to  those  of  France 
or  England.  Golhcrry  assures  us  that  some  of  the  African  stuffs  are  extremely  fine  and 
beautiful. 

Mungo  Park  says,  ‘ The  industry  of  the  Foulahs,  in  pasturage  and  agriculture,  is 
everywhere  remarkable. — Their  herds  and  flocks  are  numerous,  and  they  are  opulent  in 
a high  degree.  They  enjoy  all  the  necessaries  of  life  in  the  greatest  profusion.  They 
display  much  skill  in  the  management  of  their  cattle,  making  them  extremely  gentle  by 
kindness  and  familiarity.’  The  same  writer  remarks  that  the  negroes  love  instruction, 
and  that  they  have  advocates  to  defend  the  slaves  brought  before  their  tribunals. 

Speaking  of  Wasiboo,  he  says:  ‘Cultivation  is  carried  on  hereon  a very  extensive 
scale : and,  as  the  natives  themselves  express  it,  “ hunger  is  never  known.”  ’ 

On  Mr.  Park’s  arrival  at  one  of  the  Scgo  ferries,  for  the  purpose  of  crossing  the  Niger 
to  see  ihe  king,  he  says  : ‘ We  found  a great  number  for  a passage;  they  looked  at  me 
with  silent  wonder.  The  view  of  this  extensive  city;  the  numerous  canoes  upon  the 
river ; the  crowded  population,  and  the  cultivated  state  of  the  surrounding  country, 
formed  altogether  a prospect  of  civilization  and  magnificence,  which  I little  expected  to 
find  in  the  bosom  of  Africa.’ 

A vast  mass  of  information  to  the  same  effect  with  this,  might 
be  taken  from  the  journals  of  all  the  best  African  travellers,  from 
the  earliest  which  can  be  relied  on  down  to  the  Landers.  It  is 
apparently  the  disposition  of  the  African,  by  nature,  to  be  civilized 
and  socialized.  He  is  a talking,  trading  and  travelling  animal. 
He  is  communicative  and  imitative.  He  is  gregarious.  He  likes 
the  throng  of  the  populous  town — the  fair — the  boat-race — the 
palaver — the  dance  beneath  the  greenwood  tree.  He  has,  in  a 
word,  a constitutional  and  habitual  propensity  to  civilization. 
Nothing  but  tolerably  favorable  circumstances  of  instruction  are 
needed,  in  any  instance,  to  develope  these  tendencies  to  their 
utmost  extent ; and  hence  one  of  the  strong  arguments  for  coloni- 
zation^ a medium  of  civilization.  Hence  the  manifest  disposition 

of  the  native  Liberians  to  associate  and  amalgamate  with  the 
American  colored  colonists.  Hence  their  earnest  solicitations  for 
the  domestic  education  of  their  children,  the  establishment  of 
schools,  and  the  settlement  of  their  territory  by  a population 


163 


Appeal  for  the  Africans. 

instructed  in  the  sciences  and  the  arts.  On  the  capacity  of  the 
negroes  Mrs.  Child  comes  to  this  conclusion : 

‘As  a class,  I am  aware  that  the  negroes,  with  many  honorable  exceptions,  are  igno- 
rant, and  show  little  disposition  to  be  otherwise  : but  this  ceases  to  be  the  case  just  in 
proportion  as  they  are  free.  The  fault  is  in  their  unnatural  situation,  not  in  themselves. 
Tyranny  always  dwarfs  the  intellect.  Homer  tells  us,  that  when  Jupiter  condemns  a 
man  to  slavery,  he  takes  from  him  half  his  mind.  A family  of  children  treated  with 
habitual  violence  or  contempt,  become  stupid  and  sluggish,  and  are  called  fools  by  the 
very  parents  or  guardians  who  have  crushed  their  mental  energies.  It  was  remarked  by 
M.  Dupuis,  the  British  Consul  at  Mogadore,  that  the  generality  of  Europeans,  alter  a 
long  captivity  and  severe  treatment  among  the  Arabs,  seemed  at  first  exceedingly  dull 
and  insensible.  ‘ If  they  had  been  any  considerable  time  in  slavery,’  says  he,  ‘ they 
appeared  lost  to  reason  and  feeling ; their  spirits  broken  ; and  their  faculties  sunk  in  a 
species  of  stupor,  which  I am  unable  adequately  to  describe.  They  appeared  degraded 
even  below  the  negro  slave.  The  succession  of  hardships,  without  any  protecting  law  to 
which  they  can  appeal  for  alleviation,  or  redress,  seems  to  destroy  every  spring  of 
exertion,  or  hope  in  their  minds.  They  appear  indifferent  to  everything  around  them  ; 
abject,  servile,  and  brutish.’ 

This  language  of  M.  Dupuis,  adopted  by  our  authoress,  might 
seem  harsh  to  a casual  observer ; but  it  is  probably  no  exaggeration. 
Neither  is  her  own  remark,  that  negroes  as  a class,  are  ignorant,  and 
content  with  their  ignorance.  It  is,  as  she  observes,  the  result  of 
their  situation.  This  is  precisely  the  doctrine  of  the  Coloniza- 
tionists.  And  what  is  the  characteristic  feature  of  that  situation  ? 
Why,  it  is  a forced  connection  with  the  white  man,  and  a forced 
exposure  to  the  feeling  of  inferiority  on  one  side,  and  of  superiority 
on  the  other. 

M rs.  Child  has  a chapter  on  Colonization  and  Anti-Slavery, 
which  we  could  have  wished — for  her  sake  and  for  the  cause  she 
advocates  with  so  much  earnestness — had  been  expressed  somewhat 
otherwise  than  it  is.  It  betrays  a barely  superficial  acquaintance 
with  the  thread-bare  points  of  controversial  pamphlets  and  papers, 
published  within  a year  or  two,  altogether  unworthy  of  the  place 
they  occupy  in  a volume  which  contains  so  much  unexceptionable 
matter.  She  objects,  for  example,  to  the  Colonization  Society, 
‘ because  it  tends  to  put  public  opinion  asleep,  on  a subject  where 
it  needs  to  be  wide  awake.’  Now,  how,  let  us  ask,  is  this  substan- 
tiated ? By  an  appeal  to  facts  ? By  reference  to  the  multitude  of 
publications,  discussions,  and  emancipations  constantly  circulated, 
sustained  and  suggested  by  this  Institution  and  its  friends,  in  every 
section  of  the  country  ? Not  at  all.  How  then  ? Why, 

‘ In  the  speech  of  James  S.  Green,  Esq.  [who  is  he?]  he  says:  “ This  Sorietv  have 
ever  disavowed,  and  do  yet  disavow,  that  their  object  is  the  emancipation  of  slaves. 
They  have  no  wish,  if  they  could,  to  interfere  in  the  smallest  degree  with  what  they  deem 
the  most  interesting  and  fearful  subject  which  can  be  pressed  upon  the  American  public- 
Thero  is  no  people  that  treat  their  slaves  with  so  much  kindness  and  so  little  cruelty.” 


169 


Appeal  for  the  Africans. 

* In  almost  every  address  delivered  before  the  Society  similar  expressions  occur  On 
the  propriety  of  discussing  the  evils  of  slavery,  without  bitterness  and  without  fear,  good 
men  may  differ  in  opinion  ; though  I think  the  time  is  fast  coming,  when  they  will  all 
agree.  But  by  assuming  the  ground  implied  in  the  above  remarks,  the  Colonization  So- 
ciety have  fallen  into  the  habit  ol  glossing  over  the  enormities  of  the  slave  system  5 at 
least,  it  so  appears  to  me.  In  their  constitution  they  have  pledged  themselves  not  to 
speak,  write,  or  do  anything  to  offend  the  Southerners  j and  as  there  is  no  possible  way 
of  making  the  truth  pleasant  to  those  who  do  not  love  it,  the  Society  must  perforce  keep 
the  truth  out  of  sight.  In  many  of  their  publications,  I have  thought  1 discovered  a lurking 
tendency  to  palliate  slavery  5 or,  at  least  to  make  the  best  of  it.7 

This  amounts  to  saying  that  the  Constitution  of  the  Society  says 
nothing  of  slavery.  And  so  the  Constitution  of  Bible  Societies 
says  nothing  of  it.  And  is  that  a proof  that  the  truths  of  the  Bi- 
ble are  repugnant  to  freedom,  or  that  the  circulation  of  them  may 
not  advance  the  cause  of  freedom  ? Mrs.  Child  seems  to  be  very 
solicitous  that  somethin^  should  be  said  ‘ to  offend  the  Southerners,’ 
and  she  has  indeed  devoted  one  chapter  expressly,  we  suppose,  to 
that  purpose;  but  with  all  deference  to  her  judgment,  we  must  be 
permitted  to  say  that  we  see  no  occasion  for  any  such  thing.  There 
is  ill  feeling  enough  already — enough,  we  mean,  not  only  for  po- 
litical harmony,  but  for  the  good  of  the  great  cause  which  she 
wishes  to  promote,  for  the  benefit  of  the  slave  population.  If  she 
means,  by  her  altogether  unjustifiable  assertion,  or  insinuation,  that 
the  Society’s  aim  is  ‘ to  keep  the  truth  out  of  sight,’  perforce — that 
the  friends  of  the  Institution  are  not  as  anxious  as  any  other  men 
to  abolish  slavery,  and  to  use  all  fair  and  honorable  means  to 
that  end — if  she  means  this,  she  must  certainly  produce  some  bet- 
ter proof  than  her  own  imagination  of  a ‘ lurking  tendency.’  She 
cites  Mr.  Clay.  Why  not  cite  all  he  said,  or  any  portion  of  all  he 
has  said,  in  favor  of  free  discussion,  of  emancipation,  of  the  edu- 
cation of  the  negro?  She  cites  Mr.  Randolph.  Why  overlook 
the  fact  that  Mr.  R.  deserted  the  Society  long  before  his  decease ; 
(and  why  not  allow  that  distinguished  gentleman  credit  at  least  for 
his  final  disposal  of  his  own  slaves  ?)  No  colonizationist,  so  far  as 
we  know,  is  opposed  to  discussions,  as  such.  What  they  object 
to  is  a discussion  like  that  of  Mrs.  Child’s  for  instance,  on  the  influ- 
ence of  slavery  on  politics, — a discussion  calculated  to  aggravate 
the  jealousies  of  the  different  sections  against  each  other,  and  to 
destroy  the  influence  of  the  northern  friends  of  freedom,  without 
doing  the  least  possible  good.  For  the  rest  they  believe,  with 
Gerrit  Smith,*  that  ‘the  subject  of  slavery  is  one  that  will  be  con- 
sidered. It  will  be  felt  on,  and  thought  on,  and  spoken  on.’  But 
Mrs.  Child  thinks  the  Colonization  plan  an  inadequate  one.  This 
objection  was  so  thoroughly  discussed  in  the  Christian  Examiner 


See  Fourteenth  Annual  Report. 


170 


Appeal  for  the  Africans. 

for  January  last,  that  instead  of  entering  upon  it,  we  shall  content 
ourselves  with  making  an  extract : — 

‘ The  cost  of  colnii'zation, — if  that  scheme  he  looked  tn  a«  a mode  of  diminishing  our 
colored  population,  especially, — or  if  any  oilier  considerable  rcsulis.  foreign  to  the  origi- 
nal plan  of  the  Society  itself,  be  expected, — trust  be  defrayed  by  the  national  or  state 
governments.  1 bis  the  Society  have  always  said,  and  iIipv  bate  alwavs  disavowed  the 
expectation  of  accomplishing  the  object  just  stated  bv  their  ow  n means.  How  much 
might  be  done  by  the  governments,  is  another  matter  of  speeulalion,  open  to  debate. 
Some  are  more  sanguine  titan  others;  but  all  agree  that,  so  far  as  cost  at  least  is  con- 
cerned, the  more  money  is  furnished,  the  more  good  may  be  done, — it  being  alwavs  un- 
derstood, of  course,  that  the  settlements  in  Africa  are  made  competent  to  the  comfortable 
accommodation  of  whatever  number  of  colouists  may  be  sent  over.  The  Society  will,  at 
all  events,  hold  itself  true  to  its  own  purpose,  as  a charitable  institution,  looking  princi- 
pally to  the  w elfare  of  the  colonists  themselves.  If,  at  the  same  time,  they  can  be  made 
instrumental  in  doing  other  good, — whether  political,  commercial,  or  religious, — that  good 
will  be  so  much  gained  beyond  the  accomplishment  of  their  own  plan. 

In  this  view  of  the  matter,  it  must  be  obvious  that  there  is  no  occasion  to  discuss  at 
length  the  probable  cost  of  transporting  any  given  amount  of  our  colored  population. 
The  more  there  are,  we  repeat,  of  suitable  emigrants  suitably  colonized,  the  belter, 
whether  they  cost  ten  dollars  or  one  hundred  dollars  each.  In  other  words,  colonization 
may  be  supported  to  an  indefinite  extent,  and  whatever  benefits  are  to  arise  from  it  will 
be  proportional  to  the  amount  of  support.’ 

Our  authoress  also  asserts  that  many  of  the  Colonizationists  are 
averse  to  giving  the  blacks  a good  education,  and  are  not  friendly 
to  the  establishment  of  schools  and  colleges ; but  as  she  advances 
no  sort  of  proof  in  support  of  this  position,  and  as  we  know  of  none 
which  can  be  adduced,  we  shall  take  the  liberty  to  pronounce  it  al- 
together the  phantom  of  a lively  imagination.  No  individual,  per- 
haps, ever  did  more  for  the  instruction  of  the  slaves,  than  Mr.  Fin- 
ley, the  founder  of  the  Society;  and  the  friends  of  it,  universally, 
so  far  as  we  know,  are  on  all  occasions  among  the  most  active  in 
benevolent  exertions  for  the  general  welfare  of  the  colored  man. 
Those  who  have  read  the  preceding  numbers  of  this  Magazine 
will  call  to  mind  numerous  facts  in  confirmation  of  this  remark.* 

Mrs.  Child  objects,  finally,  that  colonizationists  seem  to  consider 
the  prejudice  against  the  blacks,  before  mentioned,  an  incurable 
one.  so  long  as  they  remain  among  ourselves.  Her  quotations, 
however — though  quotations  may  generally  be  found  in  almost  any 
book  to  prove  almost  any  tiling — do  not  at  all  substantiate  this  po- 
sition ; and  those  familiar  with  the  Society’s  numerous  publications 
are  well  aware  that  mainly  they  express  an  altogether  different  sen- 
timent— the  sentiment  heretofore  expressed  in  this  article,  and  also 
by  Mrs.  C.,  that  this  prejudice  is  the  result  of  circumstances. 
She  says,  ‘ Slavery  makes  the  prejudice .’  This  may  be  admitted. 


* We  are  glad  to  see  credit  given  by  our  authoress  to  Mr.  Holbrook,  of  this  city,  for 
his  Colored  Lyceum. 


171 


Further  Exposure. 

And  what  does  it  prove,  if  anything?  Why,  that  while  slavery 
exists,  there  will  be  an  existing  source  of  prejudice.  It  does  not, 
however,  operate  in  England,  nor  in  Hayti, — nor  in  Liberia. 
What  objertion,  then,  to  enabling  the  individual  colored  man,  so 
long  as  slavery  does  exist  in  this  country,  to  remove  himself,  if  he 
chooses,  from  the  acknowledged  effects  of  it  ? 

We  have  done  with  the  argument ; but  we  will  not  leave  this 
book,  without  alluding  to  the  loose  way  which  the  writer  has 
adopted  of  making  mere  assertions — whether  through  sheer  igno- 
rance, or  from  great  haste  or  heat  of  composition,  is  not  important 
to  decide.  She  says,  for  example,  after  admitting  that  ‘ very  dif- 
ferent pictures  are  drawn  of  Liberia,’  that  ‘the  emigrants  are  almost 
universally  ignorant  and  vicious.’  The  proof  is,  substantially,  that 
Governor  Mechlin  lias  honestly  stated  that  one  of  the  expeditions 
was  not  so  select  as  it  should  have  been  ! 

She  says — ‘ the  constant  threat  of  the  Slave-holding  States  [ap- 
parently meaning,  the  nullifying  part  v ] is  the  dissolution  of  the 
Union,’  &tc.  Again — ‘ Neither  the  planters  nor  the  Colonization 
Society,  seem  to  ask  what  right  we  have  to  remove  people  from 
the  places  where  they  have  been  born  and  brought  up.’  We 
know  of  not  the  slightest  pretence  of  foundation  for  this  remark. 

On  the  whole,  there  are  many  excellent  things  in  the  Appeal 
for  the  Africans — and  we  honor  the  evident  feeling  of  cordial  be- 
nevolence which  dictated  the  composition  of  the  whole — but  there 
are  also  numerous  statements  and  inferences,  in  case  of  which  the 
prudent  reader,  if  he  relies  upon  this  book  alone  for  his  faith,  will  find 
himself  compelled  to  discriminate  with  caution  and  determine 
with  difficulty. 


FURTHER  EXPOSURE. 

Last  month  we  published  a contradiction  by  James  Price,  one 
of  the  three  colored  men  of  Maryland  who  went  to  Liberia  to  as- 
certain and  report  on  the  state  of  that  colony,  of  certain  statements 
falsely"  alleged  to  have  been  made  by  him  to  the  Philadelphia 
Convention  of  free  people  of  color.  We  have  now  received,  in  the 
Maryland  Messenger,  the  contradiction  of  Joseph  Whittington, 
another  of  the  three,  to  whom  the  most  unfavorable  statements  re- 
specting the  colony  were  ascribed  by  the  conventionists.  As  the 
fabricated  statements  imputed  to  these  men  have  been  extensively 
published,  and  were  well  calculated  to  effect  the  design  of  render- 


172 


Farther  Exposure. 

ing  the  colonization  scheme  unpopular,  we  deem  it  proper  to  in- 
sert Whittington’s  contradiction,  as  we  did  that  of  his  colleague. 
This  latter  was  made  in  the  presence  of  the  Auxiliary  Coloniza- 
tion Society  of  Worcester  County,  Maryland. 

Snow  Hill,  Md.,  August 21st. 

At  a meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  £ Worcester 
County  Colonization  Society,’  the  following  proceedings  were 
had : — • 

Mr.  Joseph  Whittington,  a free  colored  man,  who  had  been  en- 
gaged by  his  free  colored  friends  in  Worcester  county,  with  the 
approbation  of  this  Board,  to  visit  Liberia  and  report  upon  the  con- 
dition of  the  colony,  and  the  prospects  it  holds  out  to  emigrants, 
appeared  before  the  Board,  and  offered  a Report,  which  he  stated 
had  been  prepared  in  Liberia,  and  which,  on  motion,  was  read. 

After  the  report  and  answers  to  numerous  questions,  (which 
would  occupy  more  space  than  we  can  spare  to  the  subject,)  this 
statement  follows: 

£An  article  in  the  United  States  Telegraph,  of  the  26th  of  July 
last,  entitled  “ Latest  Missionary  Intelligence  from  Liberia,”  then 
being  read  to  Mr.  W. — he  declared  that  he  had  never  stated  to 
the  meeting  mentioned  in  the  said  article,  “ that  the  women  and 
children  who  emigrated  from  Maryland  in  the  ship  Lafayette,  were 
met  very  soon  after  arriving,  by  the  pestilential  disease  of  the 
colony,  and  cut  down  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left,” — that  he 
had  never  stated  that  of  the  150  emigrants  transported  in  the  ves- 
sel that  he  went  in,  “ those  who  had  not  died  were  very  ill,” — and 
he  never  stated  that  he  thought  “ they  could  never  recover,” — 
that  he  never  stated  that  he  was  informed  that  “ more  than  one 
half  who  are  transported  die  within  six  or  eight  months  after  arriv- 
ing in  the  colony,” — that  he  never  stated  that  “old  people  and  lit- 
tle children  very  seldom  live  to  get  seasoned,  which  takes  them 
from  six  to  ten  months,  and  that  whether  they  are  seasoned  or  not, 
at  the  expiration  of  six  months  they  are  turned  out  by  the  officers 
of  the  government  to  become  paupers  or  starve,  or  bask  in  the 
rays  of  the  burning  sun  until  death,  with  all  its  terrors,  kindly  re- 
lieves them,” — that  he  never  stated  that  “ widows,  and  all  females 
without  husbands  are  deprived  of  the  right  of  holding  property,” — 
“ but  did  say  that  lands  were  not  allotted  to  single  women  by  the 
Society,” — that  he  never  stated  that  the  colony  had  taught  some  of 
the  natives  “ to  understand  the  English  language  well  enough  to 
decoy  their  brethren  away  and  sell  them  for  slaves,” — that  he  had 
never  stated  “ that  he  did  not  believe  that  there  had  been  one 


Further  Kvposure. 


173 


bushel  of  rice  or  coffee  raised  in  the  colony,  and  that  he  never 
could  see  or  hear  of  its  growing  there,” — that  he  never  had  said 
that  “ they  have  tried  to  raise  corn,  but  it  was  in  vain,”  that  it  al- 
ways “blasted  before  it  comes  to  anything,” — that  he  never  had 
said  that  “ rice  sells  at  twenty  cents  per  pound,  coffee  at  sixty 
cents  per  pound,  and  pork  at  twenty-five  dollars  per  barrel,” — that 
he  never  had  said  that  “ the  colony  cannot  flourish  under  such  em- 
barrassments,”— that  he  had  not  said  that  “ people  wTere  not  al- 
ways allowed  to  give  correct  information  respecting  the  colony,” — 
that  he  had  not  said  that  “ persons  who  reside  in  Liberia  cannot 
write  to  their  friends  in  this  country  and  give  them  facts  respecting 
the  colony,  unless  they  send  their  letters  privately,” — that  he  had 
not  said  that  “all  letters  known  to  be  destined  from  the  colony  are 
examined,” — and  that  he  had  never  said  that  “ it  was  very  diffi- 
cult for  emigrants  to  return.’ 

Test,  Levin  White,  Rec.  Secretary. 

August  21,  1833. 

I,  Joseph  Whittington,  having  heard  read  the  aforegoing  Re- 
cord of  the  proceedings  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Worcester 
County  Colonization  Society,  do  certify,  to  all  whom  it  may  con- 
cern, that  the  proceedings  therein  stated  are  true,  as  therein  stated. 

His 

Joseph  X Whittington. 
mark. 


We  may  appropriately,  in  this  connection,  introduce  the  follow- 
ing letter,  with  the  accompanying  forcible  observations  of  the  intel- 
ligent Editor  of  the  Lynchburg  Virginian  : 

‘ The  representations  and  slanders  which  the  northern  emanci- 
pators and  the  southern  agitators  are  in  the  habit  of  inventing  and 
circulating  among  the  people,  relative  to  the  operations  of  the  Col- 
onization Society,  are  effectually  contradicted,  though  not  silenced, 
by  the  letters  which  reach  this  country  from  the  settlers  at  the 
colony  of  Liberia.  It  is  somewhat  strange  that  these  opposing  fana- 
tics should  have  consolidated  their  energies  against  a Society,  the 
benevolence  and  splendor  of  whose  design  is  only  equalled  by  the 
simplicity  and  unexceptionable  character  of  the  means  which  it  em- 
ploys to  cohsummate  it.  One  party,  for  immediate  and  complete 
emancipation,  affirm  that  the  effect  of  the  operations  of  the  Coloni- 
zation scheme  is  to  bind  faster  the  chains  of  slavery ; the  other,  op- 
posed altogether  to  emancipation,  assert  that  its  design  is  to  burst 
these  chains  altogether.  Thus,  they  operate  on  public  sentiment 


John  C.  Handy; 
L.  P.  Spence, 


'ilncsses.' 


174 


Further  Exposure. 

in  different  sections  of  the  country,  by  arguments,  one  of  which 
cuts  the  throat  of  the  other — literally  confirming  the  seeming  para- 
dox that  “extremes  sometimes  meet.”  Both  arguments,  how- 
ever,  are  erroneous,  at  least  in  the  extent  which  their  authors  de- 
sign they  should  he  understood.  And  not  less  so  are  the  repre- 
sentations which  both  parties  industriously  circulate,  touching  the 
condit'on  of  the  colony  ; representing  it  as  already  a splendid  fail- 
ure— its  inhabitants,  sickly,  immoral  and  destitute,  discontented 
with  their  condition,  and  regretting  their  emigration  to  the  land  of 
their  fathers. 

We  have  now  before  us,  a letter  recently  received  by  tbe  Rev. 
Win.  S.  Reid,  of  this  place,  from  Plymouth  Reid,  one  of  the  colo- 
nists, liberated  by  that  gentleman  a few  years  since,  from  which  we 
make  the  following  extracts,  for  the  gratification  of  those  who  feel 
an  interest  in  the  success  of  this  great  enterprize  : ’ 

‘ Monrovia,  Liberia,  March  29,  1833. 

My  Kind  Sir, — Your  truly  interesting  and  friendly  letter  came 
to  hand  by  the  ship  Jupiter,  Capt.  Peters,  somewhere  about 
the  first  of  this  month.  *****  * 

Myself  and  wife  enjoy  very  good  health  in  this  country,  and  feel 
satisfied.  We  live  at  Caldwell,  where  1 have  built  myself  a tolera- 
bly decent  framed  house.  I follow  my  trade  as  a carpenter,  but 
do  not  get  that  encouragement  that  1 might,  if  the  place  was  more 
settled — but  notwithstanding  I make  a pretty  good  living.  We 
raise  on  our  farm  lands,  cassada,  plantain,  rice,  he.  The  people 
on  the  Cape  Mesurado,  however,  live  chiefly  by  trade.  A great 
deal  of  ivory  and  camwood  are  exported  every  year,  by  the  mer- 
chants of  the  colony,  in  American  and  English  vessels,  in  exchange 
for  American  and  English  produce  and  manufactures.  Our  colony 
is  daily  increasing  in  number : we  have  had  three  expeditions  from 
America  with  emigrants  in  the  short  space  of  three  months  and  a 
half.  It  seems  to  me  that  the  Almighty  intends  to  make  the  colony 
to  prosper,  and  to  make  of  us  a people  ; and  oh ! shall  I hope,  to 
the  honor  of  his  great  name  ? Ethiopia  is  to  stretch  out  her  hands 
unto  God.  And  what  Christian  but  must  pray  for  the  fulfilment 
of  his  gracious  prophecy  ? And  who  knows  but  this  may  be  the 
commencement  of  its  accomplishment?  Every  citizen  of  the 
colony  ought  to  consider  himself  a missionary — a beacon  in  this 
dark  land. 

Your  humble  and  obedient  servant, 

Plymouth  Reid. 

Rev.  Wm.  S.  Reid,  Lynchburg.’ 


Negro  Slavery. 


175 


THE  SPIRIT  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  EMIGRANT. 

The  following  hymn  was  selected  from  the  papers  of  the  late  Rev.  Joseph  B.  Andrus, 
Missionary,  which  were  returned  Irom  Africa  alter  his  decease  in  that  country.  It  breathes 
the  true  spirit  of  Christian  energy  : 

Place  me  where  winds  and  tempests  reign. 

Where  frowning  winter  binds  the  plain 
In  chains  of  ice  and  snow  : 

Where  never  summer’s  tepid  breeze 
Invigorates  the  dying  trees, 

Or  bids  the  waters  flow : 

Or  place  me  where  the  arid  soil 
Mocks  human  skill  and  human  toil ; 

Where  ceaseless  thunders  roll ; 

Where  not  a leaf  of  verdure  grows, 

Or  dew  descends,  or  fountain  flows, 

To  cheer  the  fainting  soul: 

My  Saviour’s  love,  my  Saviour’s  smile 
The  tedious  moments  shall  beguile, 

And  give  the  desert  charms; 

What  though  the  clime  were  winged  with  death' 

’T  were  heaven  to  yield  this  fleeting  breath, 

And  fly  to  Jesus’  arms. 


NEGRO  SLAVERY. 

In  the  June  number  of  the  American  Quarterly  Review,  is  an 
article  on  Negro  Slavery  which  contains  so  many  interesting  views 
in  relation  to  this  great  subject,  that  we  have  concluded  to  ex- 
tract some  passages  for  the  benefit  of  those  of  our  readers  who  may 
not  see  either  the  Review  or  the  pamphlet  edition  of  this  article 
which  has  been  published  by  a benevolent  individual  from  the 
South,  for  gratuitous  distribution.  The  writer  begins  with  the 
position  that  slavery  is  a national  affair,  and  that  all  sections  have  a 
right  to  discuss  it.  He  then  assumes  what  he  calls  himself  the 
‘strong  ground,’  that  it  is  for  the  present  a ‘ necessary  evil’ — with 
the  explanation,  however,  that  c it  may  now,  even  morally  consid- 
ered, be  an  unavoidable  evil,  and  yet  a few  years  hence  be  en- 
tirely abolished,  and  that  by  moral  means.’  That  it  must  cease 
to  exist,  sooner  or  later,  he  thinks  is  already  decided.  In  the  ar- 
gument going  to  show  the  impracticability  of  immediate  emancipa- 
tion, the  case  of  St.  Domingo  is  introduced.  This  is  so  often  cited 


176  Negro  Slavery. 

as  a proof  of  a just  the  contrary  conclusion,  that  it  may  be  well  to 
give  the  writer’s  views : 

‘ Forly  years  have  done  little  to  restore  that  fine  and  productive  island  to  the  state  of 
prosperity,  either  external  or  internal,  from  which  it  fell  at  the  Revolution,  when  its 
inhabitants  became  nominally  free.  That  its  internal  stale  is  now,  (as  a free  community) 
little  better  than  a dream,  one  fact  will  evince.  Its  laws,  instead  of  being  more  and  more 
assimilated  to  those  of  a free  country,  have,  from  necessity,  become  more  and  more 
coercive.  In  1826  the  old  ‘CodeRurale’  or  slave  law  was  re-enacted  with  scarcely 
any  alterations,  except  such  as  were  necessary  to  adapt  its  expressions  to  the  times. 
During  Mr.  Canning’s  administration,  the  Mission  of  Mr.  MKenzie  as  consul-general  to 
Hayti,  was  specially  directed  to  the  purpose  of  obtaining  correct  and  impartial  evidence  of 
the  agricultural  population.  His  ‘ Notes  on  Hayti  ’ fully  attest  an  invincible  repugnance 
to  labor,  and  a consequent  compulsion  little  short  of  that  to  which  the  slaves  had  been 
subjected  previous  to  their  emancipation.  ‘ The  consequences  of  delinquency,’  he 
observes  in  speaking  of  labor,  ‘are  heavy  fine  and  imprisonment ; and  the  provisions  of 
the  law  are  as  despotic  as  can  well  be  conceived.  It  is  well  known  that  every  article 
of  export,  which  required  any  comparative  amount  of  labor  has  greatly  diminished,  while 
those  of  spontaneous  growth,  alone  maintained  their  ground.’  In  1791,  French  St. 
Domingo  exported  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  hogsheads  of  sugar,  and  sixty-eight 
millions  of  pounds  of  coffee,  besides  other  produce  equal  in  value  to  one-sixth  as  much 
more.  In  1788  the  island  employed 

580  ships.  Average  325  tons  each,  in  the  European  trade, 

763  vessels,  73  American,  do. 

357  vessels,  60  Spanish,  &c.,  do. 

The  imports  then  amounted  to  twenty  millions  of  dollars. 

In  1822,  near  thirty  years  after  the  Revolution,  no  sugar  was  exported,  and  but  little 
made,  and  scarcely  any  production  but  coffee,  which  amounted  to  little  more  than  half  the 
export  of  1791.  The  imports  rather  exceeded  the  exports  in  value.  The  standing  army 
was  twenty-five  thousand  men.  The  president’s  salary  fifty  thousand  dollars  ; and  heavy 
duties  to  support  this  expenditure  were  laid  on  articles  exported — a mode  of  revenue 
surely  contrary  to  sound  government.  The  condition  of  the  interior  of  this  island  is  lit- 
tle known  to  strangers.  It  is  difficult  and  even  dangerous  to  penetrate  inward  far  from 
the  few  towns  on  the  coast.  If  any  one  has  later  and  more  favorable  documents  at  hand, 
on  which  reliance  can  be  placed,  they  will  doubtless  be  acceptable  to  a public,  ever  look- 
ing on  the  progress  of  true  freedom  with  a kindly  feeling.  But  it  is  well  known,  that  al- 
though professions  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  public  officers  of  that  island  have  been  very 
sanguine,  yet  facts  are  scarce,  and  statistical  documents  perhaps  still  more  rare.  We  re- 
gret much  that  religious  instruction  and  education  have  met  with  so  little  real  encourage- 
ment, and  that  missionaries  have  even  experienced  open  opposition  from  the  government ; 
and  here  we  trace  much  of  the  difficulty.  No  doubt  Hayti  is  in  some  essential  points 
free,  and  will  in  time  become  so  in  all.  But  it  has  encountered  many  difficulties,  and 
must  many  more  (owing  to  its  sudden  emancipation,)  before  its  eight  hundred  thousand 
inhabitants  can  become  really  a peaceful,  industrious,  and  happy  community.  Many 
free  colored  persons  who  have  gone  from  this  country,  have,  we  know,  returned  in  dis- 
gust, and  given  no  favorable  account  of  its  condition.  If  now  a free  and  happy  state, 
why  has  not  that  species  of  emigration  from  this  country  been  renewed,  and  the  fertile 
plains  and  mountains  drawn  their  thousands  from  hence,  as  our  regions  are  drawing  their 
annual  contributions  from  the  dissatisfied  population  of  Europe?  Can  this  be  satisfacto- 
rily answered  ? ’ 


177 


Negro  Slavery. 

The  writer  by  no  means  despairs,  however,  of  doing  something 
either  for  the  mitigation  or  removal  of  slavery.  He  thinks  that 
very  much  may  be  done : — 

‘ To  ihc  question,  why  has  so  little  been  clone?  it  may  be  answered,  that  jealousy  has 
been  a strong  barrier  to  any  alleviation  or  removal  ot  the  evil,  while  self-interest  remained 
blind  to  the  necessity  of  such  measures.  Those  immediately  concerned,  would  never  do 
that  with  vigor,  of  the  propriet3'  of  which  they  were  but  half  convinced,  and  of  the  expe- 
diency, not  at  all.  And  they  would  never  allow  it  to  be  done  for  them,  when  the  mo- 
tives of  those,  who  might  have  been  disposed  to  legislate,  appeared  but  doubtful,  and 
their  interests  diametrically  opposite.  But  now  the  scene  is  much  changed.  The  film 
which  self-interest  had  drawn  over  the  moral  vision  is  about  being  torn  away  by  its  own 
hand.  And  we  affirm,  that  it  is  now  doubly  incumbent  that  all  unjustifiable  cause  of  dis- 
trust should  be  removed — that  we  meet  our  brethren  of  the  South,  deeply  sympathising 
with  them  under  the  accumulating  load  of  moral  pressure,  which  is  weighing  them  down 
in  the  dust— that  we  calmly  discuss  with  them  the  various  remedies  proposed — that  we 
stand  ready  with  our  means  and  our  exertions,  to  assist  in  any  rational  and  humane 
method  of  alleviating  their  distresses,  while  we  seek  the  welfare  of  the  slave.  We  af- 
firm, and  we  have  ground  for  so  doing,  that  such  a disposition,  if  founded  on  sincerity, 
and  steadily  sustained,  will  be  reciprocated  in  time,  very  generally,  and  jealousies  be 
much  removed. 

But  the  question  returns  :■ — what  is  our  present  duly  as  members  generally  of  a profess- 
edly free  and  enlightened  community  ? and  in  reply,  (observing  the  distinction  before 
made  and  the  course  marked  out)  we  shall  touch  upon  the  following  topics 1.  Free 
discussion.  2.  Religious  instruction.  3.  Colonization  Society.  4.  The  abolition  of  sla- 
very in  the  District  of  Columbia.’ 

These  points  are  severally  discussed  at  some  length,  and  great 
stress  is  laid,  particularly,  on  the  benefits  to  be  derived  from  a well 
regulated  system  of  religious  instruction.  This  system  must  of 
course  be  conducted  on  the  principles  of  the  strictest  self-denial 
and  circumspection : 

‘ That  the  pious  teacher,  in  such  a field,  should  pursue  this  course,  and  may  do  it  on 
the  plainest  Scripture  grounds,  whatever  mat’  be  his  own  views  concerning  the  subject 
of  slavery  itself,  will  be  perceived  on  a very  slight  attention  to  this  point.  As  matter  of 
fact,  the  vast  results  which  have  attended  the  missionary  efforts  in  the  British  West  In- 
dies, especially  in  the  islands  of  Jamaica,  Barbadoes,  and  Antigua,  are  mainly  attributa- 
ble to  this  precaution  ; and  one  of  the  most  rigid  of  the  instructions  laid  down  by  the  mis- 
sionary societies,  is  that  which  prescribes  non-interference  with  the  civil  condition  of  the 
slave.  Let  any  one  compare  the  progress  of  the  gospel  there,  with  that  in  our  own  land, 
and  much  of  the  surprising  difference,  under  circumstances  even  less  favorable,  has  arisen 
from  this  wise  regulation.  In  Jamaica  alone,  when  the  missionaries  were  recently  dis- 
turbed in  their  labors,  we  are  credibly  informed  that,  in  a colored  population  of  350,000, 
the  various  denominations  numbered  40,000  church  members,  and  at  least  80,000  more  of 
serious  inquirers.  The  instruction  is,  however,  entirely  oral,  no  one  being  taught  to  read, 
where  the  least  objection  is  made.  Opposed  to  this,  indeed,  ground  is  usually  taken  upon 
such  passages  of  the  Bible,  as  tend  rather  to  show  the  final  results  of  Christianity,  than  to 
prescribe  rules  for  the  mode  of  their  accomplishment.  It  is  then  assumed,  that,  what- 
ever of  Scripture  may  seem  to  waive  the  question  of  direct  interference,  supposes  the 
slavery  then  existing,  as  totally  different  in  character  from  the  modern  institution,  and 


178 


Negro  Slavery. 

unspeakably  milder.  Those,  however,  acquainted  with  history,  know  that  Roman  sla- 
very at  the  time  of  the  introduction  of  Christianity,  gave  the  master  unlimited  control 
even  over  the  life  of  the  slave;  and  die  fact  that  when  an  owner  died  without  apparent 
cause,  all  his  slaves  were  usually  put  to  death,  will  sufficiently  illustrate  its  nature.’ 

‘The  slave  states  then,  we  contend,  should  become  missionary  ground  in  every  sense 
of  the  word.  Whatever  arguments  will  apply  to  such  labors  in  any  portion  of  the  globei 
come  with  redoubled  force  here.  Whether  slavery  is  for  years  to  continue  and  rapidly 
increase,  or  whether  the  respective  stales  will  take  measures  to  abolish  this  evil  more  or 
less  speedily  from  our  land,  is  of  no  consequence  to  the  immediate  question  of  the  moral 
welfare  of  the  slave.  The  passage,  of  the  soul  into  eternity;  its  appearance  before  the 
presence  of  its  fdaker;  ts  surely  sufficiently  disconnected  from  the  civil  institution  of  sla- 
very to  awaken  our  sympathies  and  arrest  our  separate  attention.  Their  religious  ad- 
vancement loo  should  be  immediately  sought,  that  they  maj-  be  l etter  fitted  for  whatever 
condition  awaits  them.  Increase  the  prevalence  of  religious  principle  in  master  and 
slave,  and  when  Christian  truth  holds  its  sway,  the  result  will  be  proportionably  happy 
and  safe.  The  one  will  be  enabled  to  sofien,  and  the  other  to  tolerate  the  necessary  evils 
of  delay ; and  when  freedom  shall  come,  which  it  requires  no  prophet’s  eye  to  discern  in 
years  before  us,  then  will  the  one  be  better  prepared  to  grant,  and  the  other  to  enjoy  the 
boon.’ 

The  writer  is  warmly  in  favor  of  Colonization,  for  reasons  stated. 
Instead  of  repeating  these,  we  will  give  his  concluding  caution,  the 
wisdom  of  which  is  too  obvious  for  dispute : 

‘ But  we  have,  in  passing,  a caution  for  the  Society  itself.  The  comparative  wisdom 
exercised  in  its  measures,  over  those  which  have  been  pursued  by  England  towards  Sierra 
Leone,  has  been  abundantly  exemplified.  The  latter  colony  has  cost  millions,  under  the 
fostering  care  of  a powerful  and  successful  nation  in  such  enterprises,  and  yet  failed; 
while  Liberia  has,  so  far,  flourished  with  very  limited  means.  This  failure  in  Sierra  Le- 
one, is  mainly  from  the  too  rapid  admission  of  negroes,  rescued  from  slavery,  but  unpre- 
pared for  freedom  ; and  now,  an  insurrection  in  Free  Town,  in  which  one  hundred  lives 
are  lost,  scarcely  excites  a remark.  We  trust  the  Society  will  steadily  pursue  their  wise 
and  enlightened  policy  of  proportioning  intelligence  and  moral  principle  to  numbers. 
Soon,  vast  numbers,  selected  and  sent  out  under  a far  different  policy,  will  be  poured  in 
upon  the  meritorious  and  industrious  settlers,  and  confusion  and  insubordination  may  su- 
persede the  beautiful  order  and  moral  harmony  thus  far  pervading  the  infant,  but  promis- 
ing community.  Such  a catastrophe  might  throw  back  the  prospects  of  Africa  for  ages  ; 
and  yet  we  see  but  two  modes  of  arresting  an  issue  sorely  disheartening  to  the  friends  of 
humanity.  Let  the  settlements  be  more  rapidly  increased  in  number  along  the  coast, 
and  let  moral  and  religious  means  be  applied  in  a ratio  far  higher  than  anything  known 
even  in  New  England.  It  is  not  enough  to  have  these  means  in  reference  to  the  numbers 
merely,  but  in  reference  to  the  disproportion  likely  soon  to  exist  among  the  emigrants 
against  intelligence  and  order.  This  tendency,  though  foreseen  distinctly  by  the  Society, 
cannot  be  too  strongly  impressed  upon  our  country;  and  every  measure  pul  forth  in  be- 
half of  this  object,  should  have  this  preventive  aspect,  by  preparing  for  the  rapidly  in- 
creasing moral  wants,  rather  than  hereafter  seeking  to  cure  the  evil  when  past  control.’ 

On  the  extinction  of  slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  are  the 
following  judicious  remarks.  We  concur  in  the  justice  of  them  en- 
tirely : — 

‘We  profess  to  be  among  those  who  think  that  the  courtesy,  at  least,  of  the  South, 
should  grant  this  desideratum  to  northern  feeling.  It  is  evident  that  each  free  slate  will 
as  naturally  seek  for  its  extinction  there,  as  it  would  seek  to  remove  the  same  evil  (grant 


Military  Colonies  of  Russia.  H9 

it  to  he  only  imaginary)  from  its  own  borders.  Bnl  it  also  appears  desirable,  that  the 
freest  nation  on  the  globe,  should  at  least  be  privileged  with  freedom  around  its  rapilol — 
that  its  laws  should  emanate  Irom  a spot  where  the  moral  atmosphere  is,  in  this  respect 
at  least,  pure — where  the  legislator  and  visiter  Irom  the  North  may  sojourn  without  any 
outrage,  from  this  cause,  to  Ins  feelings  or  principles,  whatever  they  may  be  ; and  where 
the  southerner  may  observe  in  silence,  the  existence,  on  a small  scale,  ol  that  (which,  but 
for  obstacles  not  there  in  being.)  he  w ould  gladly  hail  around  his  own  home.  We  mean 
not  that  this  request  should  be  pushed  in  a manner  irritating,  or  in  a tone  of  commanding 
menace.  But  we  put  it  to  our  southern  brethren — is  it  wise  to  resist  a claim  so  harmless 
and  yet  so  gratifying  to  the  members  of  the  Iree  stales  1 We  know  not  what  will  con- 
tinue our  Union  but  mutual  concession.’ 

I 


From  the  Encyclopaedia  Americana. 

MILITARY  COLONIES  OF  RUSSIA. 

The  Russian  military  colonies  differ  much  from  those  of  Alex- 
ander of  Macedon  and  of  the  ancient  Romans,  and  also  from  the 
Military  Frontiers  of  the  Austrian  empire,  and  the  distributed 
troops  of  Sweden.  Russia  has  endeavored,  by  the  settlement  of 
entire  regiments  in  particular  districts,  under  a peculiar  military, 
civil  and  police  government,  to  unite  the  character  of  crown  pea- 
sants and  paid  soldiers,  whereby  agriculture,  population  and  civili- 
zation may  be  advanced,  and  the  standing  army  of  the  empire  in- 
creased without  burdening  the  revenue.  Count  Araktschejeft’,  who 
rose  bv  merit  from  a low  rank  in  the  army  to  that  of  general  of  ar- 
tillery, is  the  author  of  this  system,  and  for  a time  directed  its  exe- 
cution. When  the  emperor  Alexander,  at  the  termination  of  the 
wars  with  Napoleon,  desired  plans  for  diminishing  the  great  ex- 
pense of  a standing  army,  Araktschejeft'  advised  him  to  quarter  the 
soldiers  among  the  crown  peasants,  to  build  military  villages  on  a 
given  plan,  to  allow  to  each  house  a certain  number  of  acres  of 
land,  and  to  devise  a code  of  laws  for  the  government  of  this  insti- 
tution. The  soldier  was  thus  to  become  a peasant  of  the  crown, 
and  the  crown  peasant  a soldier,  and  both  were  to  be  made  to  con- 
tribute to  their  own  support  by  the  cultivation  of  the  soil,  and  the 
whole  male  population  of  the  colonies  was  to  be  drilled  in  the  mili- 
tary exercises,  and  be  kept  as  a reserve  for  field-duty.  On  account 
of  the  vast  extent  of  the  empire,  the  recruits  hitherto  levied  had  of- 
ten been  totally  separated  from  their  homes  ; they  joined  their  regi- 
ments, and,  after  25  years  of  service  on  the  frontiers  of  Turkey, 
Persia,  Poland,  Norway  and  China,  forgot  that  they  had  families 
and  a country.  It  was  therefore  considered  desirable  that  the 
whole  military  force  of  the  Russians  along  the  boundaries  of  Po- 


180  Military  Colonies  of  Russia. 

land,  Turkey,  and  the  vicinity  of  Caucasus,  should  be  collected 
into  military  colonies,  by  which  not  only  the  population  and  culti- 
vation of  the  country  should  be  promoted,  and  the  families  of  the 
soldiers  in  actual  service  be  provided  for,  but  also  the  soldiers  them- 
selves in  times  ol  peace,  and  in  the  midst  of  their  wives  and  chil- 
dren, and  around  their  own  firesides,  should  acquire  an  attachment 
to  their  country.  Such  colonies  were  first  established  in  the  gov- 
ernment of  Novogorod  ; the  soldiers  were  placed  in  certain  villa- 
ges, which  were  the  property  of  the  crown ; the  peasants  were 
gradually  brought  under  military  government,  obliged  to  wear  their 
hair  short,  and  to  shave  their  beards,  and  were  also  drilled  in  mili- 
tary exercises,  so  that,  in  case  of  the  death,  absence  on  service, 
or  sickness  of  the  quartered  soldier,  the  peasant  could  immediately 
take  his  place.  Some  disorders,  the  consequence  of  this  project, 
were  soon  suppressed,  and  the  whole  system  gradually  developed. 
According  to  this  system,  the  name,  age,  property  and  family  of 
each  inhabitant  of  the  selected  villages  are  specified  ; the  older  pea- 
sants are  declared  the  chief  colonists,  and  houses  built  for  them,  in 
regular  rows  constituting  streets.  Each  chief  colonist  is  equipped 
in  uniform,  trained  to  military  exercises,  and  receives  a house  with 
15  desatines  of  land,  on  condition  of  maintaining  one  soldier  (and 
his  horse,  if  cavalry  is  colonized).  The  soldier  quartered  on  him 
is  called  the  agricultural  soldier,  and  assists  him  in  the  tillage  of 
the  fields  and  in  domestic  labors.  He  also  selects  one  of  his  family 
as  an  assistant,  commonly  the  eldest  son,  who,  after  the  death  of 
his  father,  with  the  approbation  of  the  colonel  of  the  regiment,  in- 
herits his  real  estate.  The  second  son,  or  some  other  relation, 
comes  into  the  ‘reserve,’  and  also  dwells  in  the  house;  the  third  is 
also  made  an  agricultural  soldier;  the  others  are  cantonists,  &c.  A 
family  is  divided  into  three  classes.  The  boys,  until  they  are  eight 
years  of  age,  are  allowed  to  remain  with  their  parents ; they  are 
then  sent  to  the  military  schools,  where  they  are  habituated  to 
strict  discipline  : at  the  age  of  13  years,  they  become  cantonists, 
and  at  the  same  time  are  educated  as  peasants  and  soldiers,  and  at 
17  years,  they  form  a part  of  the  military  colony,  which  is  gov- 
erned by  a peculiar  code.  Each  colony  has  its  own  court  of  jus- 
tice, at  which  the  highest  officer  presides,  and  the  rest  follow  ac- 
cording to  rank.  No  girl  is  permitted  to  marry  any  one  but  a sol- 
dier. No  person  is  allowed  to  enter  the  military  district  without  a 
special  pass  from  the  military  authority.  The  duties  connected 
with  the  post-houses  are  also  committed  to  the  care  of  the  soldiers. 
After  20  or  25  years’  service,  the  agricultural  soldier  may  renounce 
his  double  duty  as  a soldier  and  a farmer,  or  declare  himself  an  in- 
valid. His  place  is  then  filled  by  one  of  the  reserve.  Thus  had 


181 


jyfflitary  Colonies  of  Russia. 

Russia,  in  1824,  already  established  a kind  of  military  caste, 'and, 
as  it  were,  a military  zone,  which  extends  from  the  Baltic  to  the 
Black  sea,  along  the  western  frontier  of  the  empire,  in  the  govern- 
ments of  Novogorod,  Cherson,  Charkow  and  Ekaterinoslaw,  and 
constitutes  the  proper  country  of  her  standing  army.  In  this  belt 
of  land,  all  the  male  children  are  born  soldiers;  in  their  17th  year, 
they  are  placed  under  the  standards,  constantly  drilled  in  military 
exercises,  and  remain  soldiers  till  they  are  60  years  of  age.  As 
soldiers,  they  cease  to  be  boors.  They  are  divided  into  regiments, 
companies,  &c.,  for  whose  support  a part  of  the  crown-lands  is  set 
apart.  From  the  produce  of  the  lands  granted  them,  the  soldiers 
of  the  colony  must  support  themselves  and  their  horses,  while  not 
in  active  service  ; then  they  receive  pay.  It  is  calculated,  that  the 
number  of  these  agricultural  soldiers,  when  the  system  is  fully  car- 
ried into  execution,  will  amount  to  3,000,000,  half  of  whom  can 
be  drafted  for  service.  The  colonies  already  established,  in  1824, 
contained  about  400,000  male  inhabitants,  including  40,000  cav- 
alry. In  July  of  the  same  year,  the  emperor  visited  in  person 
many  of  the  colonies,  and  publicly  expressed  his  satisfaction  with 
their  condition.  As  this  system  is  extended,  the  conscription  and 
recruiting  hitherto  practised  must  gradually  fall  into  disuse.  The 
empire,  on  its  only  assailable  side,  is  thus  in  a continual  state  of  de- 
fence ; this  living  rampart  also  compensates  for  the  want  of  for- 
tresses, of  which  there  are  none  of  much  importance  in  Russia. 
General  count  AraktschejefF  was,  till  the  death  of  Alexander,  the 
commander-in-chief  of  all  the  military  colonies  of  the  empire.  In 
January,  1824,  all  the  military  cantonists  of  the  military  orphan 
schools  (in  which  reading,  writing  and  arithmetic  are  taught  on  the 
Lancastrian  plan,  and  the  soldiers’  catechism  explained),  were 
made  subordinate  to  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  military  colo- 
nies. Of  the  cantonists,  a considerable  number  yearly  enter  the 
military  service,  in  the  place  of  those  of  the  reserves,  who  have 
been  drafted  to  supply  the  numbers  of  the  agricultural  soldiers. 
The  boys  then  succeed  to  the  places  vacated  by  these  cantonists, 
and  so  on.  A military  education  is  the  peculiar  support  of  this 
system,  which  subjects  the  peasant  to  a military  police.  For  the 
education  and  support  of  the  boys  and  cantonists,  the  revenue  ob- 
tained from  the  release  of  recruits  is  applied.  By  the  ukase  of 
Dec.  29,  1823,  the  possessors  of  landed  property  in  the  thinly  set- 
tled governments  were  released  from  the  duty  of  levying  recruits, 
by  the  payment  of  a certain  sum  of  money  ; 3500  of  these  releases, 
at  2000  roubles  paper  money  each,  were  issued,  which  produce  an 
income  to  the  state  of  7,000,000  of  roubles.  The  expenditures 
for  the  military  colonies  amounted,  according  to  the  report  of  the 
23 


182 


Latest  from  Liberia. 

commander-in-chief,  in  the  year  1822,  to  4,962,475  roubles,  and 
the  total  expenditure  since  their  organization,  to  1824,  amounted 
in  all  to  15,780,115  roubles.  Of  the  6,000,000  of  crown  pea- 
sants, 4,000,000  are  sufficient  to  furnish  quarters  to  the  whole 
army.  Thus  Russia,  together  with  her  present  army  of  8 — 900,- 
000  men  (according  to  the  rolls,  though  not  in  actual  service), 
would  have  one  equally  strong  in  her  colonists,  which  can  be  re- 
cruited from  the  cantonists  and  the  body  of  reserve,  without  inter- 
ruption, and  in  the  best  manner.  A very  despotic  authority  will, 
however,  be  requisite  to  preserve  a body  of  2,000,000  of  soldiers, 
who  have  houses  and  fatnilies,  under  military  discipline  and  restric- 
tions. This  system,  since  the  death  of  the  emperor  Alexander, 
has  been  extended  no  farther,  but,  as  far  as  it  was  already  in  exis- 
tence, has  been  retained,  and  was  for  a time  under  the  direction  of 
general  Diebitsch.  Mr.  Lyall,  an  Englishman,  in  1822,  visited 
the  Russian  military  colonies,  and  gave  an  account  of  them  in  his 
Travels  through  Russia  (London,  1824.) 


LATEST  FROM  LIBERIA. 

Br  an  arrival  at  Philadelphia,  we  have  received  Liberia  papers 
to  the  20th  July. 

The  brig  Ajax,  Taylor,  arrived  from  New  Orleans  on  the  12th, 
in  50  days,  with  140  emigrants  and  provisions  for  Grand  Bassa. 
On  the  27th,  arrived  brig  American,  from  Philadelphia,  with 
emigrants. 

The  colonial  schooner  Harriet  Martha,  owned  by  C.  M. 
Waring,  was  stranded  on  Digby  Beach  June  28th,  and  the  cargo 
plundered  by  the  natives. 

Monrovia,  May  29,  1833. 

Grand  Bassa  Settlement. — By  the  return  of  the  Margaret  Mercer,  on  the 
26th  instant,  we  learn,  the  emigrants  are  highly  pleased  with  their  new  location, 
and  that  many  have  erected  comfortable  native  houses,  and  removed  on  their 
lots. 

It  is  the  intention  of  the  Colonial  Agent  to  despatch  the  Margaret  Mercer 
with  more  settlers  in  a few  days,  as  many  new  emigrants  are  now  anxiously 
waiting  to  take  passage,  and  decline  making  any  permanent  improvements  here. 

We  are  confident  that  the  Grand  Bassa  country  only  wants  exploring,  to  be 
more  prized  by  our  citizens  generally  ; for,  while  the  country  around  us  is,  from 
the  sloth  of  the  petty  tribes,  who  arc  proprietors  of  its  soil,  but  little  cultivated, 
our  settlers  atGrand  Bassa  will  have  plenty  of  produce  or  their  own  cultivation, 
or  they  can  purchase  it  from  the  natives. 


183 


Latest  from  Liberia. 

Palm  oil,  which  has  within  a few  years  become  quite  an  article  of  trade  in 
the  American  market,  can  be  purchased  there  during  its  season  in  the  greatest 
abundance,  and  no  man  can  justly  complain  of  hunger  in  Africa,  who  has  plenty 
of  palm  oil  and  rice. 

We  are  informed  that  several  English  vessels  have  stopped  there  lately,  and 
we  are  confident  that  Americans  will,  in  a short  time,  also  find  it  profitable  to  do 
the  same ; for  though  we  are  free  trade  men,  we  think  that  American  vessels 
should  always  have  the  preference,  where  they  dispose  of  their  goods  at  equally 
low  prices.  This,  we  are  aware  is  somewhat  contracted,  but  we  are  in  a 
measure  driven  to  it  by  the  great  obstacles  thrown  in  the  way  of  all  American 
vessels  at  Sierra  Leone  and  other  colonial  ports. 

If  we  could  only  receive  the  same  support  and  countenance  from  the  mother 
country  that  Sierra  Leone  does,  for  a few  years,  we  could  demonstrate  pretty 
clearly  to  the  people  of  color  in  America,  that  our  colony  holds  out  greater 
inducements  to  new  comers,  than  any  other  region  to  which  they  can  emigrate. 

Monrovia,  July  15. 

Our  rainy  season  may,  for  the  last  thirty  days,  be  considered  as  having  fairly 
set  in,  having  had  rain  to  our  hearts’  content,  pretty  much  every  day. 

Death  of  King  Tom  Bassa,  of  Little  Bassa. — We  are  sorry  to  hear  of  the 
decease  of  King  Tom  Bassa,  and  fear  from  the  unsettled  state  of  the  country,  and 
the  many  candidates  for  his  seat,  that  our  region  of  gold  (camwood)  is  about  to 
become  the  scene  of  civil  commotion.  There  are  three  principal  candidates. 

Strange  Fish. — During  our  short  absence  from  this  town,  two  very  singular 
fish  were  taken  by  our  fishermen:  one  was  8 feet  long,  25  inches  wide,  and  15 
inches  thick,  and  weighed  690  lbs  ; the  other  was  7 feet  in  length,  IS  inches  in 
breadth,  9 inches  in  thickness,  and  weighed  175  lbs.  They  were  regularly 
skinned  and  sold  in  market,  and  soon  the  name  of  river  hog  was  affixed  to 
them,  from  the  great  resemblance  of  their  harslet  to  a hog’s,  as  well  as  their 
flesh,  which  bore  the  appearance  of  fat  pork — a thought  has  since  struck  us 
that  this  fish  may  be  a species  of  the  sturgeon — but  having  no  book  of  reference, 
we  must  leave  the  matter  undecided. 

P.  S. — Since  penning  the  above  article,  we  have  learnt  that  these  fish  were 
taken  in  a seine  by  J.  Woodland  and  others  in  the  Messurado  river  ; that  their 
skins  were  of  a dark  slate  color,  and  of  considerable  thickness,  viz,  half  an  inch  ; 
that  there  flesh  resembled  fat  pork,  and  tasted  like  it;  that  they  had  mouths  like 
a hog,  and  a set  of  molar  teeth,  but  their  snouts  were  somewhat  broader,  and 
well  fitted  to  root  in  the  mud.  They  had  also  two  lateral  fins  and  no  dorsal,  with 
tails  horizontal.  We  conceive  the  name  bestowed  on  them  by  our  citizens,  not 
altogether  inappropriate. 

Grand  Bassa  Settlement. — The  present  number  of  settlers  amounts  to  about 
175,  and  many  of  the  first  33,  who  were  the  pioneers  about  ten  months  since 
are  now  settled  on  their  own  town  lots.  The  town  is  laid  out  on  a tongue  of 
land,  on  the  Little  Bassa  side  of  the  St.  John’s  River,  and  presents  a fine 
appearance  from  the  ocean.  It  is  within  a short  distance  of  the  native  town  of 
our  friend,  ‘ Bob  Gray  of  Grand  Bass,  ’ pon  my  soul,’  who  considers  himself  and 
* his  people  ’ highly  honored  in  having  Americans  so  near  him,  and  renders 
himself’  troublesome  a plenty,’  as  the  natives  say,  to  those  in  authority,  from 
his  daily  visits. 


184  Latest  from  Liberia. 

Between  the  two  towns  is  the  ancient  Devil  Bush  of  the  Grand  Bassa  people, 
which  they  have  reserved  in  their  sale  of  lands  to  us.  It  is  not  used  now,  and  is 
reverenced  by  the  natives  only  for  what  it  has  been,  as  our  friend  Bob  Gray  will 
at  any  time  sell  to  any  of  our  settlers  there,  any  particular  tree  he  may  stand  in 
need  of,  for  one  bar,  (75  cents.) 

It  is  evident  to  the  most  casual  observer,  that  the  natives  in  the  vicinity  cf  our 
settlements,  are  gradually  becoming  more  enlightened,  and,  consequently,  less 
observant  of  their  superstitious  notions  and  idolatry.  Such  is  the  case  of  our 
friend  Bob  Gray,  who  speaks  as  lightly  of  the  sanctity  of  the  Devil’s  Bush  as  we 
would,  and  considers  it  a mere  humbug  for  the  more  ignorant  and  superstitious. 
It  is  pleasing  to  reflect  that  the  spot,  near  which  the  nameless  bloody  rites  of 
Moloch  have  been  perpetrated  for  centuries,  is  soon  to  be  the  site  of  a mission 
house,  which  is  now  erecting  by  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cox,  missionary 
from  the  United  States. 

For  the  protection  of  the  first  settlers,  a barricade  has  been  erected  by  them’; 
and  a visiter,  from  the  daily  parading,  might  easily  fancy  himself  in  some 
outpost  in  the  United  States,  which  the  policy  of  the  Government  at  home,  has 
occupied  from  time  to  time  on  their  frontiers,  and  even  in  the  Indian  territory. 

Its  banks  are  well  stocked  with  timber,  and  free  from  Mangroves,  we  believe ; 
and  its  waters  well  filled  with  fish  of  various  kinds,  and  oysters.  Black  perch 
have  been  taken  there  as  heavy  as  20  lbs. 

Since  the  above  was  penned  it  will  be  borne  in  mind,  ^that  the 
reverend  gentleman  here  mentioned  as  being  actively  engaged  in 
prosecuting  movements  for  the  benefit  of  the  colony,  has  been 
providentially  removed  to  another,  and  we  trust  a higher  and  holier 
scene  of  action.  ‘ This  eminently  pious  and  benevolent  man,’  says  a 
Southern  paper,  £ has  fallen  in  the  service  to  which  he  had  bent 
the  energies  of  his  mind,  and  consecrated  his  time  and  talents.  He 
sailed  from  this  country  with  the  avowed  expectation  of  closing  his 
mortal  career  in  Africa  ; but  was  so  fully  impressed  with  a sense  of 
the  duty  under  which  he  was  acting,  that  he  looked  forward  to  the 
result  unappalled,  and  even  with  cheerfulness.  But  although  his 
career  was  short,  it  was  useful  in  its  positive  fruits,  and  in  the 
salutary  influence  of  example.’ 

We  may  remark  here,  that  the  Editor  has  received  letters  from 
Liberia  eleven  days  later  than  the  dates  above  named,  but  they 
add  nothing  in  the  way  of  news,  excepting  the  single  circumstance 
that  the  Governor  of  the  Colony  was  expected  to  leave  for  the 
United  States  about  the  25th  of  August. 


185 


THE  MARYLAND  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY. 

In  relation  to  the  project  now  entertained  by  this  Society,  of 
establishing  a new  colony  at  Cape  Palmas,  we  have  received 
a most  interesting  communication  from  a citizen  of  that  state,  who 
takes  a lively  interest  in  the  prosecution  of  the  scheme.  The 
circumstance  which  suggested  it  more  than  anything  else,  was  the 
inadequacy  of  a single  colony — under  the  sole  charge  and  control 
of  an  Institution  bound  to  regard  the  wants  and  application  of  the 
whole  country  at  large — to  meet  the  necessities  of  a state  com- 
prising within  its  boundaries  a large  slave  population,  but  at  the 
same  time  desirous  of  being  relieved  from  the  burthens  of  the 
slave  system.  It  has  always  been,  indeed,  the  doctrine  of  the 
Parent  Society,  and  the  fondly  cherished  hope  of  its  numerous 
advocates  in  all  sections,  that  if  the  time  so  much  to  be  desired, 
were  ever  to  come,  when  the  slave  states,  or  any  of  them,  should 
undertake  the  mighty  labor  of  ridding  themselves  of  this  enormous 
curse,  the  system  of  Colonization  would  be  found  to  open  an 
avenue  adequate,  in  some  good  degree,  to  the  momentous  nature 
of  the  case.  Not  that  the  Society  expected  of  itself  to  accomplish 
the  work  of  Colonization  in  its  utmost  desirable  extent.  The 
Society  aimed  simply,  as  its  name  indicates,  at  the  foundation  and 
maintenance  and  amplification  of  its  own  single  experiment  on  the 
African  Coast.  Its  object,  in  this  experiment,  was  to  prove  the 
practicability  of  Colonization  upon  a large  scale — upon  any  scale. 
It  was  to  show  the  national  Government,  and  the  Governments  of 
the  States,  and  the  people  of  this  country  and  of  all  countries  at 
large,  that  just  so  far  and  so  fast  as  they  might  choose,  for  their 
own  benefit,  or  for  the  benefit  of  any  part  or  class  of  their  popula- 
tion, to  carry  on  the  plan  of  Colonization,  or  to  cooperate  in 
carrying  it  on,  in  that  same  proportion  might  they  entertain  a 
sound  and  sanguine  confidence  of  complete  success.  It  is  for 
Maryland,  then,  to  determine,  for  herself,  how  far  she  will  carry 
on  the  plan.  The  Parent  Society  has,  by  the  success  of  its  own 
establishments,  evinced  the  practicability  of  the  system  proposed, 
and  the  practicability  also  of  applying  it  under  proper  circumstances 
to  the  relief  of  the  individual  slave  states,  as  well  as  to  the  promo- 
tion of  the  welfare  of  the  free  colored  population  at  large.  The 
extent  to  which  Maryland  may  magnify  her  operations  on  the 
African  Coast  will  depend  on  the  energies  she  may  think  it  proper 
to  devote  to  the  cause,  and  to  the  interest  which  her  sister  states 
may  take  in  her  behalf. 

Thus  far,  the  prospects  are  most  encouraging.  The  spot 
selected  for  the  establishment  of  a colony  is  Cape  Palmas,  which 


186 


New  England  Mission  to  Liberia. 

those  who  are  familiar  with  the  African  map  will  remember  is 
situated  in  a manner  the  most  advantageous  and  desirable  for  the 
purpose  proposed.  It  is,  indeed,  to  the  great  river  Niger  what 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  is  to  India.  It  supplies,  if  we  are  not 
misinformed,  even  in  its  present  condition,  large  quantities  of  rice 
for  exportation.  It  is  high  and  healthy — the  harbor  excellent,  the 
land  extensively  cleared — and  the  low  and  comparatively  pesti- 
lential portions  of  the  soil  common  in  some  sections  of  the  coast, 
less  frequent  than  they  are  farther  northward. 

It  gives  us  great  pleasure  farther  to  understand  that  such  ar- 
rangements have  been  agreed  on  by  the  Maryland  Society,  in  regard 
to  the  materials  of  which  this  colony  shall  be  composed,  and  in  refer- 
ence also  to  the  management  of  them,  as  promise  results  the  most 
favorable  to  the  interests  not  only  of  the  establishment  itself,  but 
of  the  surrounding  country,  and  the  general  cause  of  Colonization, 
Civilization,  and  Christianity.  Great  attention  will  be  paid  to  the 
maintenance  of  schools  and  the  dissemination  of  religious  knowledge. 
No  emigrant  will  be  permitted  to  connect  himself  with  the  colony, 
but  on  condition  of  pledging  himself  to  the  strict  observation  of 
temperate  habits ; and  no  traffic  in  ardent  spirits  will  be  permitted 
to  exist. 

We  might  comment  at  length  upon  the  character  of  the  scheme 
thus  briefly  sketched,  but  must  content  ourselves  for  the  present 
with  remarking  that  it  presents  to  our  mind  the  most  unequivocal 
and  gratifying  exemplification  of  what  may  be  considered  the 
leading  feature  in  the  plan  of  Colonization — we  mean  its  indefinite 
extensibility  in  itself,  and  its  indefinite  capacity  of  application  to  the 
peculiar  necessities  of  our  own  country. 


NEW  ENGLAND  MISSION  TO  LIBERIA. 

Agreeably  to  notice,  the  public  meeting  of  the  Young  Men’s 
Methodist  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  New  England,  was  held 
Sept.  29th,  at  the  Bromfield  Street  Church  ; and  such  was  the 
interest  felt  in  the  exercises  of  this  occasion,  that  long  before  their 
commencement  that  spacious  building  with  all  its  aisles,  galleries, 
entries,  and  every  nook  and  corner  about  it  where  a spectator  could 
station  himself,  were  filled  to  overflowing.  The  missionaries  pres- 
ent (who  will  leave  in  the  Jupiter  from  Norfolk)  were  the  Rev.  R. 
Spaulding,  the  Rev.  S.  O.  Wright,  their  wives,  and  Miss  S.  Far- 
rington. Mr.  Wright  had  intended,  we  believe,  to  go  to  Cape 
Mount,  and  Mr.  S.  to  Grand  Bassa,  but  the  recent  decease  of  Mr. 


187 


JSew  England  Mission  to  Liberia. 

Cox  must  probably  render  their  precise  destination  undetermined 
till  they  arrive  on  the  coast.  The  exercises  having  commenced 
with  an  original  hymn  by  a full  choir,  prayers  were  offered  by  the 
Rev.  R.  Anderson,  Secretary  of  the  American  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions,  and  addresses  made  by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Wright,  Spaul- 
ding and  Burrill  of  Ipswich.  These  were  of  the  most  solemn  and 
affecting  character, — in  the  spirit  suited  to  men  who  had  renounced 
country,  kindred  and  home,  for  the  cause  of  a far-off  and  heathen 
land  ; and  to  those,  on  the  other  hand,  who  were  called  on  to  part 
with  these  comrades  and  counsellors  of  their  youth  and  their  riper 
days,  forever.  The  following  original  hymns,  sung  on  this  occa- 
sion, will  express,  far  better  than  any  language  of  ours,  the  feeling 
which  was  uppermost  on  the  hearts  of  the  multitude  who  heard 
these  unpretending  hut  irresistible  appeals : 

BY  REV.  S.  O.  WRIGHT. 

Though  spreading  lakes  in  sunbeams  glow 
By  Ethiopia's  ancient  hills ; 

Though  sparkling  streamlets  onward  flow 
Through  green-clad  plains  and  forest  shade; 

The  evening  breeze,  in  sullen  mood, 

Moans  on  the  mountain’s  hoary  brow — 

For  Death  arrays  her  fearful  brood 
And  Sorrow  holds  her  empire  there  ! 

A nation’s  blood  flows  o’er  the  land  ! 

It  spreads  from  Gambia’s  golden  shore 

To  lone  Sahara’s  desert  strand, 

And  far  to  Congo’s  sea-washed  coast ; 

The  clanking  chain  breaks  midnight’s  rest. 

And  chimes  with  many  a million  sighs — 

For  Afric  bends,  with  stricken  breast, 

Beneath  Oppression’s  lowering  brow. 

But  while  her  blood  unheeded  falls, 

And  stains  the  garments  of  her  foes, 

On  God’s  eternal  throne  it  calls. 

And  pleads  for  Afric’s  freedom  hour ! 

’T  is  heard — and  o’er  the  ocean  waves, 

A promise-morn  in  brightness  dawns ; 

It  lingers  now  beside  the  graves 
Where  rest  her  holy  martyred  dead ! 

But  soon  the  light  of  God  its  way 

Shall  mark,  and  shine  on  mount  and  dale, 

While  mllions  greet  the  welcome  day 
That  breaks  the  captive’s  galling  chains; 

And  blest,  on  every  sunlit  hill. 

Her  sable  sons  shall  dwell  in  peace  ; 

Iler  forests  catch  the  joyous  thrill, 

And  echo  answer,  She  is  free!  . 


188  New  England  Missio7i  to  Liberia. 

BY  C.  W.  LIGHT. 

The  Gospel  sound  ! shall  Congo’s  hills 

Hear  ihe  glad  news  the  Saviour  brought— 

The  news  of  peace,  good  will  to  men, 

And  freedom,  which  His  blood  has  bought  7 

Yes  !— slumbering  Afric  shall  awake  ! 

Degraded  Afric  shall  be  raised  ! 

The  blood  of  Jesus — it  was  sited 

For  Afkica  ! His  name  be  praised  ! 

High  Heaven  has  heard  the  sorrowing  voice, 

And  the  wide  earth  has  joined  to  save 

These  desert  wanderers:  light  divine 
Breaks  sunlike  o’er  the  western  wave. 

The  Lamp  of  Life  ! Ah,  honored  men, 

Who  bear  that  glorious  light  to  them! 

Its  brilliant  flame  will  far  outshine 
Earth’s  brightest  regal  diadem. 

Fear  not,  ye  sons  of  prayer ! The  cry 
That  comes  from  that  beclouded  shore 

Must,  must  be  answered.  Go,  brave  band : 

God  keep  you,  bless  you,  evermore ! 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Taylor  addressed  the  meeting  towards  the  close 
of  the  evening — a gentleman  whose  w’ell  known  characteristic  it 
is,  that  no  description  is  adequate  to  give  any  conception  of  his 
eloquence.  We  can  only  say,  he  was  as  fervent  as  usual,  and  that 
at  the  end  of  his  address — the  first  occasion  which  his  audience  had 
of  perceiving  the  lateness  of  the  hour — they  wTere  one  and  all  mani- 
festly in  the  same  mood  with  himself.  At  his  suggestion  a liberal 
collection  was  taken  up,  and  the  meeting  was  closed  with  singing. 

Such  wTas  the  farewell  meeting  of  the  first  Methodist  Missionaries 
from  New  England  to  Liberia.  They  have  devoted  themselves, 
with  the  courage  of  the  primitive  martyrs,  to  the  task  before  them, 
not  in  the  spirit  of  mere  hardihood,  and  far  less  of  recklessness — 
for  the  fate  of  the  lamented  Cox  warns  them  full  well — but  in  that 
spirit  of  high  faith  in  God  and  love  for  man,  which,  not  forgetting 
but  subduing  the  strong  throbs  of  the  bosom’s  blood,  is  ready  to 
brave  fearlessly  alike  the  pangs  of  expatriation,  the  perils  of  the 
sea,  even,  if  need  be,  the  dying  fever  that  in  its  grave-clothes  flits 
along  the  central  wilderness, 

Where  not  a leaf  of  verdure  grows, 

Or  dew  descends,  or  fountain  flows, 

To  cheer  the  fainting  soul — 

Ay,  death  itself,  for  this,  we  fear,  is  the  true  complexion  of  the 
enterprize.  Heaven  grant  it  may  prove  not  so. 


189 


THE  CRISIS. 

Under  this  title  a very  able  and  satisfactory  article  appears  in  the  September  num- 
ber of  the  African  Repository,  from  which  we  take  the  following  passage.  It  is 
eminently  worthy  the  attention  of  all  who  have  disparaged  or  opposed  the  Colonization 
Society  from  a misapprehension,  which  is  indeed  very  common,  of  its  true  tendency  and 
design  : 

‘ If  vve  could  make  an  effort  that  should  be  felt  throughout  the 
land ; if  we  could  speak  with  a voice  that  every  American  should 
hear,  we  would  act  and  speak  now  for  the  single  purpose  of  allay- 
ing all  sectional  jealousies ; of  soothing  and  quieting  all  unkind  or 
irritated  feeling;  and  of  inducing  all  honest  and  candid  men  to  con- 
sider the  great  questions  connected  with  the  condition  and  pros- 
pects of  our  colored  population,  in  the  spirit  of  sobriety,  meekness 
and  charity.  No  other  spirit,  we  are  sure,  is  suited  either  to  the 
subject  or  the  occasion.  Every  other  spirit  we  deprecate,  as  un- 
favorable to  the  formation  of  a correct  judgment — as  hostile  to  the 
interests  of  those  whom  we  would  relieve,  and  dangerous  to  the 
general  security  and  welfare  of  the  nation. 

Trusting  that  such  a spirit  animates  the  hearts  of  the  readers  of 
this  Journal,  vve  may  be  permitted  to  ask  whether  the  simple  and 
direct  object  of  the  Colonization  Society  as  expressed  in  its  Con- 
stitution, namely,  to  establish  with  their  own  consent  the  free  peo- 
ple of  color  in  the  United  Stales  in  Christian  colonies  on  the  Afri- 
can coast  or  elsewhere,  be  not  (even  when  divested  of  all  inciden- 
tal or  collateral  advantages  and  entirely  distinct  from  any  greater 
object  which  may  be  promoted  by  its  moral  influence)  sufficiently 
large  and  important  to  merit  the  united,  generous  and  persevering 
support  of  our  countrymen?  This  object  of  the  Society,  now  pre- 
sents itself  to  the  public,  not  as  a theory,  the  utility  of  which  is  to 
be  tried,  but  as  a scheme  already  proved  useful  by  actual  experi- 
ment ; an  experiment,  which,  it  is  clear,  admits  of  indefinite  ex- 
tension, and  promises  an  increasing  good  at  each  point  brought 
within  the  enlarging  circle  of  its  influence.  If  the  character  and 
condition  of  the  free  man  of  color  be  improved  in  Liberia  ; if  that 
colony  have  assisted  in  the  suppression  of  the  slave-trade ; if  it 
have  already  excited  both  sympathy  and  respect  for  the  colore  I 
race — if,  on  a shore  of  barbarism  and  crime,  it  stand  a light  for  the 
ignorant,  a refuge  for  the  oppressed,  a Christian  Temple  wherein 
superstitious  and  idolatrous  pagans  may  be  taught  to  worship  the 
only  living  and  true  God  ; how  can  the  philanthropic  or  pious  man 
be  uninterested  in  its  fate,  refuse  to  assist  it,  or  cease  to  importune 
the  Almighty  to  vouchsafe  to  it  his  gracious  protection.  Now  we 
venture  to  affirm,  that  the  influence  of  our  African  Colony  upon 
24 


190 


The  Crisis. 


its  own  citizens  and  upon  the  heathen  tribes  in  its  vicinity,  has  been 
salutary  in  a high  degree ; that  it  has  banished  the  odious  slave- 
trade  from  a considerable  line  of  coast ; that  it  has  awoke  strong 
sympathies  in  behalf  of  the  whole  African  race  ; that  it  has  wrought 
extensive  and  auspicious  changes  in  public  sentiment  towards  this 
race ; and,  finally,  that  some  extraordinary  dispensation  of  Provi- 
dence alone  can  prevent  the  growth  of  this  colony  to  greatness, 
and  the  consequent  commun'cation  of  civilization  and  Christianity, 
through  its  citizens,  to  the  uncivilized  and  unchristian  population 
of  Africa.  We  submit  the  question,  then,  whether  the  Coloniza- 
tion Society,  fixing  its  eye  and  directing  its  aim  to  the  simple  and 
single  object  of  planting  Christian  colonies  of  free  men  of  color  on 
the  African  coast,  and  this  while  the  practicableness  of  so  doing  is 
no  longer  problematical,  and  its  utility  clear  as  the  sun,  does  not 
deserve  to  be  well  sustained  by  humane  and  religious  men,  how- 
ever widely  differing  on  points  distinct  from  the  fundamental  prin- 
ciples of  moral  and  political  duty  ? Some  may  think  that  slavery 
under  every  possible  form  and  modification  should  be  instantly  and 
universally  abolished  ; others  may  judge  that  so  great  a change  in 
the  condition  of  the  slave  population  and  the  general  state  of  so- 
ciety cannot  without  deepest  injury  to  all  concerned,  be  suddenly 
effected  ; some  may  be  of  opinion  that  general  emancipation  is 
practicable  only  as  connected  with  Colonization  ; others  may  deem 
it  possible  on  our  own  soil,  but  only  by  measures  cautious  and 
gradual  in  their  operation,  and  within  certain  and  well  defined  limi- 
tations; and,  finally,  some  may  discern  no  method  by  which  this 
acknowledged  evil  can  be  removed  without  incurring  evils  greater 
than  slavery  itself,  and  others  abandoning  their  own  judgment,  but 
confiding  in  Providence,  may  hope  for  its  final  extinction,  but  only, 
by  means  concealed  at  present  from  human  observation : yet  we 
know  not  why  all  these  may  not  unite  in  aid  of  an  Institution  which 
has  effected  already  great  good,  and  which  by  a process  entirely 
unobjectionable  and  harmless,  must,  if  duly  sustained,  accomplish 
good  incalculable  for  the  interests  of  mankind  and  the  honor  of  God. 
We  have  ever  thought,  that  on  the  broad  common  ground  assumed 
by  the  Society,  all  benevolent  men  might  act  together.  We  have 
never  been  able  to  discover  in  the  single,  great,  specific  object  of 
the  Society,  that  which  car.  be  reasonably  made  matter  for  contro- 
versy. And  though  we  are  aware  that  the  Society  encounters  op- 
position, both  at  the  North  and  the  South,  still  our  confidence  is 
unshaken,  that  this  opposition  cannot  long  survive  except  in  a few 
minds  subject  either  to  a delusion  that  no  reason  can  dispel,  or  to 
the  less  excusable  influence  of  principles  hostile  to  the  spirit  of  the 
age,  and  to  the  improvement,  the  rights  and  the  happiness  of  man- 


The  Crisis. 


191 


kind.  True,  the  zealous  advocate  of  immediate,  entire  and  uncon- 
ditional emancipation,  while  he  views  the  Society  as  an  obstacle  in 
the  way  of  his  measures,  will  refuse  to  assist  it;  and  the  defender 
of  perpetual  slavery,  knowing  as  he  must  know,  that  the  moral  in- 
fluence of  the  Society  is  decidedly  and  powerfully  favorable  to  vol- 
untary abolition,  will  not  cease  to  oppose  it,  yet  the  first  is  unable 
to  show  that  the  object  he  desires  is  retarded  by  the  Society,  and 
the  last  may  despair  of  proving  that  either  individuals  or  society 
experience  injury,  rather  than  benefit,  from  its  moral  influence. 
True,  those  who  would  effect  a sudden  and  complete  abolition, 
even  should  it  bring  ruin  upon  all  parties  concerned,  and  those  who 
would  never  effect  it,  even  though  certain  that  all  parties  would 
realize  from  it  the  greatest  advantage,  are  not  to  be  relied  on  either 
for  wisdom  or  benevolence.  Opposition  to  the  Society,  however, 
by  those  who  desire  the  former,  because  they  believe  it  both  safe 
and  beneficial,  (and  who  would  promote  it  only  by  safe  and  proper 
means,)  and  by  those  who  decline  to  attempt  the  latter,  because 
they  deem  it  absolutely  impracticable,  appears  incapable  of  defence. 
The  Society  colonizes  only  the  free.  It  throws  no  obstacle  in  the 
way  of  manumission,  it  encourages  no  attempt  to  effect  impossibili- 
ties. It  offers  the  opportunity  and  presents  the  motive  for  eman- 
cipation to  the  master,  and  has  no  apprehension  that  he  will  deem 
emancipation  wise  or  expedient,  when  it  is  not.  It  leaves  all 
questions  in  regard  to  the  slave  population,  to  be  settled  just  as 
freely  and  exclusively  by  the  judgment  of  those  who  alone  under 
the  constitution  of  the  land  have  the  right  to  decide  them,  as 
though  it  had  no  influence  upon  their  judgment.  It  exerts  no 
influence  upon  slavery  excepting  a moral  influence.  If  we  con- 
demn it  because  it  exerts  no  other  influence,  we  must  for  consis- 
tency’s sake  condemn  the  constitution  of  the  Union,  which  leaves 
neither  individuals  nor  associations  the  right  of  doing  anything  for 
abolition,  but  through  the  will  and  consent  of  the  slave-holder.  If 
we  condemn  it  because  it  exerts  this  influence,  let  us  also  condemn 
all  our  free  Institutions — all  our  Bible,  Tract  and  Missionary 
Societies — and,  finally,  the  mild  and  humane  spirit  of  the  Christian 
religion.  For,  (according  to  Dr.  Robertson,)  it  was  Christianity 
which  weakened  the  feudal  system  and  finally  abolished  slavery 
throughout  Europe.  It  was  this  religion  which  “ struggled  with 
the  maxims  and  manners  of  the  world,  and  contributed  more  than 
any  other  circumstance  to  introduce  the  practice  of  manumission.” 
We  neither  hope  nor  desire  to  justify  the  Society  inlhe  opinion  of 
those  who  would  suddenly  abolish  slavery,  without  regard  to  conse- 
quences ; or  in  that  of  those  who  would  perpetuate  it  for  their  own 
personal  advantage,  even  when  convinced  that  abolition  is  required 


192 


Correspondence  and  Intelligence. 


by  considerations  most  powerful,  both  of  humanity  and  the  public 
good.  But  we  would  gladly  vindicate  its  character  in  the  sight  of  all 
sober,  benevolent  and  pious  men.  We  would  neither  degrade 
reason,  nor  waste  argument,  in  controversy  with  those,  who  would 
sacrifice  to  the  mere  abstraction  and  shade  of  right  (which  would, 
in  this  case,  prove  to  be  the  very  spirit  and  essence  of  wrong,)  the 
peace,  the  happiness  and  union  of  our  country  ; nor  in  attempts  to 
conciliate  those  who  are  warring  with  the  kindest  and  best  influen- 
ces of  truth  and  reason,  and  the  holy  principles  of  all  human 
liberty  and  improvement.  But  we  would  earnestly  invite  all 
reflecting,  judicious,  patriotic  and  Christian  men,  seriously  to  con- 
sider the  principles  and  claims,  and  immediately  and  generously  to 
unite  in  sustaining  the  operations  of  this  Society.  Their  opinions 
may  be  various  on  many  subjects  ; they  may  differ  in  judgment 
on  sundry  questions  relating  to  the  condition  and  prospects  of  our 
slave  population  ; but  will  they  not  agree  in  this,  that  the  American 
Colonization  Society  is  a truly  benevolent  Institution  ; benevolent 
in  its  aspect  and  tendencies  toivards  the  whole  African  race  1 ’ 


CORRESPONDENCE  AND  INTELLIGENCE. 

EXPEDITION  FROM  SAVANNAH. 

There  is  a large  number  of  colored  persons  in  Savannah  at  this 
time,  who  are  desirous  of  emigrating  to  Liberia,  and  have  signified 
that  disposition  to  the  Board  of  the  Colonization  Society  at  Wash- 
ington. We  have  a list  before  us,  furnished  in  a letter  of  Sept.  14, 
dated  at  that  place,  comprehending  the  names  of  those  who  have 
made  up  their  minds  on  the  subject,  and  whose  characters  are  au- 
thenticated in  such  a manner,  by  both  respectable  white  and  col- 
ored citizens  of  Savannah,  as  to  leave  no  question  respecting  the 
great  importance,  for  the  interest  of  the  colony,  of  fitting  out  this 
expedition,  as  soon  as  may  be.  Almost  every  adult  candidate  is  a 
member  of  a Temperance  Society,  and  those  few  who  are  not  so 
are  persons  of  the  most  regular  and  sober  habits,  who,-  it  is  said, 
have  expressed  a determination  to  bei  ome  such  at  the  earliest  op- 
portunity. We  have  the  following  certificate  before  us,  dated  Sa- 
vannah, Sept.  17,  1833:  ‘We  the  undersigned,  citizens  and  in- 

habitants of  the  city  of  Savannah,  do  hereby  certify  that  we  are  ac- 
quainted with* the  above  named  persons  [a  list  of  whose  names  is 
given]  and  we  believe  them  to  be  honest,  industrious  and  sober 
persons,  and  well  entitled  to  the  attention  of  those  in  favor  of  their 
colonization.’ 


193 


Correspondence  and  Intelligence. 

This  is  subscribed  by  a number  of  the  most  respectable  names 
in  Savannah.  The  total  number  of  candidates  specified  in  this  list 
is  eighty-five.  Quite  a number  of  them,  we  perceive,  are  useful 
mechanics.  There  are  several  carpenters,  a cooper,  a blacksmith, 
a wheelwright,  farmers,  seamstresses,  &c.  One  of  the  women  is 
an  instructress  by  profession,  and  has  made  herself  eminently  use- 
ful in  this  country . She  will  be  a most  valuable  accession  to  the 
colony.  She  is  the  same  individual  referred  to  in  the  following  ex- 
tract from  a letter  recently  received,  bearing  date  of  Savannah, 
Sept.  10,  1833: 

‘Mr.  Wilson  has  been  here;  I saw  him  and  heard  him  preach.  I was  much  pleased 
with  his  sincerity,  good  sense  and  simple  plain  manner,  and  should  think  him  well  quali- 
fied for  the  duty  in  which  he  is  engaged.  Joe  Clay  (colored  man)  sails  for  New  York, 
in  the  first  vessel,  to  accompany  Mr.  Wilson  in  his  exploring  expedition.  They  will  re- 
turn in  six  months  for  their  families,  and  will  then  make  a permanent  settlement.  Marga- 
ret Slroble,  a very  pious  colored  woman,  wishes  to  go  out  to  Liberia  as  Missionary,  to  be 
engaged  in  keeping  an  infant  school  for  the  native  children.  A Society  is  now  forming 
here,  by  the  ladies,  to  support  her  in  that  employment. 

Her  first  intention  was  to  accompany  a number  of  her  friends  who  have  made  arrange- 
ments for  removing  by  the  first  opportunity — but  she  has  been  advised  to  remain  until 
Mr.  W.’s  final  departure,  and  spend  the  intermediate  lime  in  gaining  instruction  in  the 
method  of  teaching.  We  have  also  found  a suitable  white  person  to  take  charge  of  an 
infant  school  for  colored  children  in  this  place.’ 

Mr.  Wilson,  mentioned  above,  has  been  recently  appointed  mis- 
sionary to  western  Africa,  under  the  sanction  of  the  American 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  In  regard  to  the  Savannah  Expedi- 
tion, we  have  only  to  say  in  conclusion,  that  it  seems  to  us  to  pre- 
sent clear  and  strong  cause  for  sympathy  and  assistance.  The 
Parent  Society  is  not  now"  in  a situation  to  assume  the  expense  of 
new  expeditions,  but  we  confidently  trust  that  through  the  benevo- 
lence of  the  community  at  large,  and  especially  of  the  Christian 
public,  the  necessary"  means  will  not  be  long  wanting  for  the  prose- 
cution of  so  noble  a charity.  It  gives  us  great  pleasure  to  learn, 
indeed,  that  liberal  offers  have  already  been  made  to  that  effect. 


RELIGIOUS  INSTRUCTION  OF  THE  NEGROES. 

We  have  the  following  from  a southern  source  to  be  relied  on, 
politely  furnished  us  by  the  gentleman  to  whom  the  letter  from 
which  it  is  an  extract  was  addressed. 

‘ Beaufort,  Sept.  12, 1833. 

We  had  a Teachers’  Meeting  on  Monday.  You  would  have  been  pleased  with  the  in- 
terest expressed  in  the  instruction  of  the  blacks.  It  was  determined  to  commence  again 
their  old  plan  of  teaching  the  blacks  on  Sunday  afternoon,  and  after  the  second  service — 
and  devote  themselves  more  than  ever  to  their  instruction  and  conversion.  I hope  Charles- 


194 


Correspondence  and  Intelligence. 

toil  will  take  a decided  stand  on  this  subject.  Bishop  Bowen  wrote  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Walk- 
er in  the  beginning  of  the  summer  for  information,  and  Mr.  Trappier  (Episcopal  clergy- 
man) has  written  twice  to  my  brother,  respecting  a detail  of  our  plans,  as  he  wished  at 
once  to  be  doing  something  for  the  cause — so  that  we  have  good  reason  for  hope.  I was 
pleased  with  a tract  in  the  last  Recorder  (Philadelphia) ; I think  it  calculated  to  assist 
the  missionary  planters  very  much.  I have  had  some  communication  with  Mr.  Moore, 
Methodist  Missionary  among  the  blacks,  (in  Carolina:)  he  seems  quite  interested  in  the 
Georgia  mission,  also  under  the  care  of  the  Methodist  conference.’ 


STILL  LATEK  FROM  AFRICA. 

We  are  indebted  to  the  politeness  of  the  Editor  of  the  Liberia 
Herald  for  advices  from  that  port,  up  to  August  8th,  by  tbe  last 
arrival.  The  Herald  of  that  date  states  that £ Mr.  Savage,  who  has 
lately  arrived  as  Agent  for  the  emigrants  per  Brig  Ajax,  from 
New  Orleans,  has  it  in  contemplation,  to  establish  a Manual  Labor 
School  in  the  colony  of  which  the  editor  says — ‘As  he  has  es- 
tablished himself  for  the  present  at  Millsburg,  where  a vacancy  of 
teacher  has,  or  will,  shortly  take  place  in  the  free  Shool  there,  we 
see  no  good  reason  why  our  fellow  citizens  of  Millsburg,  should 
not  have  the  honor  of  having  the  first  Manual  Labor  School  in  Af- 
rica, put  into  successful  operation  among  them.’  The  Free  School 
for  the  recaptured  Africans,  the  Herald  says,  has  £ been  in  success- 
ful operation,  under  the  care  of  Rev.  James  Eden,  for  some  weeks.’ 
The  Editor  is  correct  in  asserting  that  this  is  the  £ true  art  of  civili- 
zation— establish  schools  among  native  tribes,  as  industrious  as  our 
recaptives  wherever  they  can  be  found,  and  one  great  step  towards 
their  civilization,  and  consequently  their  embracing  the  doctrines  of 
Christianity,  is  gained.’  We  subjoin  another  paragraph  on  an  im- 
portant point : 

£ We  are  pleased  to  learn,  that  our  friends  in  Massachusetts, 
have  given  their  attention  to  the  subject  of  Education  in  our  infant 
Republic.  We  have  schools  it  is  true,  but  in  a body  like  ours, 
which  is  daily  extending,  there  are  always  openings  for  schools. 
At  present,  our  settlement  at  Grand  Bassa  is  without  any. — Our 
settlement  about  to  be  formed  at  Junk,  will  be  in  the  same  situa- 
tion ; and  the  chiefs  and  head  men  at  Cape  Mount,  now,  are  cla- 
morous for  a teacher ; and  in  their  cession  of  land  for  a settlement 
there,  the  establishment  of  a school  is  the  chief  and  most  impor- 
tant item  in  the  deed  of  conveyance. — But  the  Colonial  Agent  has 
been  unable  to  establish  the  school,  or  occupy  the  grant  from  want 
of  means : there  is  a heavy  expense  attendant  upon  the  foundation 
of  every  new  settlement.  Why  will  not  our  friinds  in  Massachu- 
setts— throughout  New  England,  raise  funds  to  settle  a certain 
tract  or  coast,  to  he  called  New  England,  or  Plymouth,  or  Bos- 
ton? We  need  call  only  on  the  friends  of  the  cause.’ 


Correspondence  and  Intelligence.  195 

To  illustrate  the  business  of  the  colony,  we  make  an  extract : 

Commission  Business. — The  subscriber  respectfully  informs  his  friends  and  the  public, 
that  he  has  built  on  Water  street,  No.  320,  a large  Slone  Ware  House,  convenient  to 
the  water’s  edge,  where  he  intends  carrying  on  the  commission  business ; and  is  now’ 
ready  to  accept  of  any  vessel  or  vessels,  whose  masters  wish  to  have  their  business  done. 
The  said  house  is  quite  convenient  for  storing  Tobacco,  Flour,  Beef,  Pork,  Lard,  But- 
ter, Molasses,  Sugar,  &.c.  And  on  the  upper  floor,  Dry  Goods  and  Crockery  Ware. 
And  withal  he  is  a licensed  Auctioneer. 

Henry  S.  Nelson. 

Monrovia,  August  5th,  1833. 

Here  is  another,  and  we  are  glad  to  see  no  ardent  spirit  men- 
tioned either  in  this  or  the  price  current: 

Dailey  & Russwurm,  offer  for  sale  the  cargo  of  the  Sell.  Wm.  Tompkins  from  Nor- 
folk, Va.,  consisting  of 

23  Hlids.  dark  leaf  Tobacco,  of  superior  quality; 

350  Bbls.  provisions,  consisting  of  Mess  prime  Pork,  Beef,  do.  Mackerel,  No.  2, 
Shad  and  Herrings  and  Lard; 

125  Bbls.  superfine  family  Flour; 

199  Springfield  Hams ; 

425  Kegs  assorted  Nails; 

200  Boxes  yellow  Soap. 

Monrovia,  Liberia,  August  5th,  1833. 

The  Herald  always  contains  notices  like  the  following: 

The  fast  sailing  coppered  and  copper  fastened  Schooner  Rebecca,  Hall  master,  will 
sail  alternately  from  this  port,  for  Windward  and  Leeward,  and  will  take  frieght  on  mod- 
erate terms ; for  which,  or  passage,  apply  to 

Dailey  & Russwurm. 

One  more  must  suffice  : 

General  Orders. — Commanders  of  the  different  Corps  of  Monrovia,  will  cause  their 
companies  to  parade  on  the  Saturday  preceding  the  second  Monday  in  August,  in  Broad 
street,  precisely  at  9 o’clock,  A.  M. 

N.  B.  A Battallion  Court  Martial  will  be  held  at  the  Town  House,  at  10  o’clock, 
A.  M.  on  the  second  Monday  in  August.  By  order  of  the  Major, 

Jacob  W.  Prout,  A.  M.  F.  L. 

The  keeper  of  the  Colonial  Hotel  advertises,  we  see,  that  one  of 
his  rooms  is  used  for  a dry  goods  store  ; and  that  he  has  two  black- 
smith’s forges,  and  a cabinet-making  business  in  operation,  besides 
acting  as  merchant  tailor,  lumber  merchant  and  licensed  auctioneer. 
Well  done,  Randolph  Cooper!  Enough  certainly  for  one  man. 

We  are  rejoiced  to  witness  the  exhibition  of  so  much  interest  in 
the  subject  of  education  as  some  of  these  extracts  lead  us  to  infer ; 
and  we  have  reason  to  believe,  from  the  proportion  of  space  which 
similar  subjects  occupy  in  the  Herald,  that  its  readers  have  some- 
thing of  the  same  feeling  in  regard  to  them  with  the  editor  himself. 
It  is  a topic  of  vital  importance  to  the  colony. 


19<5 


Correspondence  and  Intelligence. 

Capt.  Riley,  so  well  known  to  the  public  by  the  account  of 
his  sufferings  while  a captive  among  the  Arabs  of  the  African  Des- 
ert, as  well  as  for  his  benevolent  character,  has  recently  returned 
from  a voyage  to  Mogadore,  and  presented  to  the  American  Colo- 
nization Society  twelve  bushels  of  Barbary  wheat , in  hopes  that  it 
may  be  better  adapted  to  the  soil  of  Liberia  than  that  grain  of  this 
country.  This  wheat  is  thought  the  best  in  the  world,  and  flour- 
ishes in  a climate  where  frost  is  never  known.  Should  it  suit  the 
Liberia  climate,  it  must  prove  a most  valuable  grain  for  the  colony. 


COLONIZATION  MEETING  AT  ALBANY. 

The  following  communication,  dated  Albany,  Oct.  2d,  is  from  the  New  York  Com- 
mercial Advertiser : 

1 We  had  a great  Colonization  meeting  here  last  evening.  The 
Albanians  have  really  come  up  nobly  to  the  work.  Though  it 
rained  hard  the  whole  afternoon  and  evening,  a respectable 
assembly  gathered  at  the  South  Dutch  Church,  of  which  Mr. 
Ferris  is  pastor,  Gideon  Hawley,  Esq.  in  the  Chair,  and  E.  C. 
Delevan,  Secretary,  and  were  addressed  by  Rev.  Mr.  Danforth, 
General  Agent,  Mr.  Williams  from  Africa,  Rev.  Mr.  Ferris,  J.  N. 
Campbell  and  E.  N.  Kirk,  and  C.  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq. 

The  meeting  was  of  the  most  spirited  character ; the  addresses 
were  short,  pithy  and  productive.  One  feeling  seemed  to  animate 
all,  and  three  thousand  dollars  were  pledged  to  send  out  one 
hundred  select  emigrants  to  the  colony  in  Africa.  Six  hundred 
dollars  were  actually  subscribed  at  the  meeting  under  good  hands 
and  true,  and  the  whole  sum  will  soon  be  completed  by  an  efficient 
committee,  'appointed  for  the  purpose,  consisting  of  Hon.  Judge 
Spencer,  H.  Bleecker,  J.  T.  Norton,  James  King,  John  Townsend, 
B.  F.  Butler,  Isaiah  Townsend,  J.  Smith,  J.  Williams,  Ira  Harris, 
R.  V.  De  Witt,  and  D.  D.  Barnard. 


The  Secretary  of  the  American  Colonization  Society  acknowl- 
edges the  receipt  of  the  following  sums  for  that  Institution. 

Amount  of  collections  and  subscriptions  in  the  Lecture  Room  of  the  Masonic  Temple, 
Boston,  deducting  expenses,  g3, 50,  .....  120,  iS5 

Collected  in  Tabernacle  Church,  Salem,  . . . . 19,  97 

Donation  of  Rev.  F.  W.  Hollaud,  to  constitute  him  a life  member  of  the 
Society,  .........  30,  00 


